Senate has passed State Police Bill and advanced major security reform in Nigeria.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Senate has passed a landmark Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police services across Nigeria, marking a major step toward decentralising the country’s policing system amid rising security concerns.
The bill, transmitted by President Bola Tinubu as part of broader security sector reforms, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and separate State Police Services.
The proposed legislation scaled second and third readings after receiving the support of more than two-thirds of senators during plenary on Wednesday.
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Presenting the general principles of the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the amendment was designed to strengthen internal security and enhance the ability of states to respond to emerging threats within their territories.
Under the proposed framework, each state police service will be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by the state House of Assembly.
According to Clause 17 of the bill, governors will be empowered to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to state commissioners of police on matters relating to public safety and public order.
However, the legislation contains safeguards aimed at preventing abuse of power. The bill expressly states that state police authorities shall not arrest, detain, investigate, harass or deploy force against any individual, political party or group solely for criticising the government, except in accordance with the law.
The amendment also outlines circumstances under which the Federal Police Service may intervene in the security affairs of a state. Such intervention may occur where there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order that a state police service is unable or unwilling to contain, or where a governor formally requests federal assistance.
The bill provides that any federal intervention must be authorised in writing by the President, specifying the reasons, affected territory, functions and duration of the intervention.
In addition, the President will be required to notify the state governor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, National Police Council and National Assembly within 48 hours of approving such intervention.
Any federal takeover extending beyond the period prescribed by law would require the approval of the Senate.
The passage of the bill comes amid increasing calls for a decentralised policing structure as Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges across several regions.
President Tinubu has repeatedly advocated state policing, describing it as a necessary reform to improve local intelligence gathering, enhance community-based security and strengthen rapid response capabilities.
Supporters of the proposal argue that state police will bring law enforcement closer to communities and improve security coordination at the grassroots level.
However, critics have expressed concerns about potential political interference by governors, funding challenges and the possibility of state police being used for partisan purposes.
Despite the concerns, the Senate’s approval represents a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture and establish a constitutional framework for state policing alongside the existing federal system.
The bill now advances further in the constitutional amendment process following earlier approval by the House of Representatives.
