The National Assembly will this week send the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police to the 36 state Houses of Assembly as it moves the proposal closer to becoming law. The bill must secure the approval of at least 24 state assemblies before it can be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The development follows the Senate’s recent approval of the constitutional amendment after reviewing the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that all arrangements for the transmission had been completed. He said state governors and lawmakers were already expecting the bill after consultations held before its passage.
The proposed law seeks to introduce a dual policing system that will allow state governments to establish their own police services while leaving national security matters such as terrorism, border protection, cybercrime and arms trafficking under the control of the Nigeria Police Force.
To address concerns over possible misuse of state police, the bill includes measures aimed at preventing governors from using the security outfit against critics or political opponents. It also gives the Federal Government powers to step in if there is a threat to national security, public order or fundamental human rights.
The proposal has received support from several governors, state lawmakers and political stakeholders. The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures has pledged to give the bill proper consideration, while many governors believe state police will improve security through better knowledge of local communities. The Labour Party also backed the proposal, saying it could strengthen community policing, although it acknowledged concerns about possible abuse. However, the Peoples Redemption Party opposed the move, arguing that the timing was not appropriate.
Once the bill reaches the state assemblies, lawmakers are expected to hold public hearings, consult stakeholders and debate its provisions before voting. If at least 24 states approve it, the amendment will be sent to the President for final assent.
Meanwhile, the Senate defended the passage of the bill, saying it was driven by Nigeria’s growing security challenges rather than political interests. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposal followed years of consultations with the executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, state legislatures, the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders.
He explained that public hearings were held across the six geopolitical zones in 2025, where participants largely supported the creation of state police. According to him, the Nigeria Police also contributed to the drafting of the bill by recommending safeguards that would promote accountability and prevent abuse.
Bamidele added that the bill enjoyed support from lawmakers across different political parties, with 84 of the 109 senators voting in its favour during the clause-by-clause consideration. He urged opposition parties to contribute ideas that would improve security instead of rejecting reforms because of political differences.
He maintained that protecting lives and property should remain a national priority and said the proposed state police system is aimed at improving security across the country.