State Police Bill Clears Second Reading In Senate

A bill proposing the establishment of state police and the transfer of policing powers to subnational governments has successfully passed its second reading in the Senate, marking another significant step toward reforming Nigeria’s security framework.

According to legislative reports, the proposed law is designed to strengthen the country’s internal security architecture in response to escalating challenges such as terrorism, banditry, mass kidnappings, farmer-herder conflicts, cult-related violence, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism, and cybercrime.

The legislation, officially titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration), 2026 (SB. 794), was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and received widespread backing from lawmakers across party lines during deliberations.

Following extensive debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, headed by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, for further legislative examination and recommendations.

Presenting the bill, Bamidele argued that Nigeria’s current centralized policing structure has struggled to effectively address increasingly complex and localized security threats. He maintained that calls for a decentralized policing system have continued to grow among Nigerians seeking more responsive security measures.

The Senate Leader explained that the proposed legislation seeks to establish both federal and state police institutions, clearly defining their respective responsibilities while creating State Police Service Commissions to oversee operations and ensure accountability.

He further stated that the bill aims to move policing powers from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, a move intended to promote cooperative federalism and improve security management across the federation. According to him, the reform is designed to strengthen rather than undermine national unity by enabling each level of government to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities more effectively.

Addressing concerns over the possible misuse of state police by state governments, Bamidele emphasized that the bill contains several safeguards, including federal oversight mechanisms, uniform national policing standards, legislative confirmation of senior appointments, and periodic operational reviews. He added that the proposal also allows for federal intervention in situations where law and order completely break down, ensuring a balance between autonomy and accountability.

The Senate Leader maintained that localized policing would significantly enhance intelligence gathering, facilitate quicker responses to security threats, and improve trust between communities and law enforcement agencies. He also noted that decentralization would reduce the burden on the Federal Police, allowing it to concentrate on interstate crimes, terrorism, organized criminal networks, border security, cybercrime, and the protection of federal assets.

Bamidele pointed to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany as examples of federal systems operating multi-layered policing structures, arguing that Nigeria should adopt a similar model.

Several senators, particularly from the northern region, expressed support for the proposal, describing state policing as a potential long-term solution to the nation’s persistent security challenges. Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno also endorsed the bill, saying it would provide a legal framework to regulate the growing number of vigilante groups while ensuring proper structure, accountability, and operational effectiveness.

With its second reading concluded, the bill now advances to the committee stage for further legislative scrutiny before proceeding through the remaining stages of the constitutional amendment process.