Nigeria’s House of Representatives has passed a Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking to establish State Police, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-running debate on security sector reform and the decentralisation of law enforcement.
The announcement was made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary, signaling what many lawmakers and stakeholders describe as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges through localized policing structures.
The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to create a legal framework for state-controlled police formations that would operate alongside existing federal security agencies. Proponents argue that the reform will improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security operations, and enhance rapid response to threats across the country.
Supporters of the bill maintain that Nigeria’s current security realities require a more decentralized approach, particularly in tackling banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, terrorism, and other emerging security threats that often vary from one region to another.
Reacting to the development, stakeholders described the passage of the bill by the House as a historic moment for Nigeria’s democratic and security architecture.
According to them, state policing has the potential to improve the protection of lives and property by bringing law enforcement closer to the people and enabling security agencies to better understand the peculiar challenges of their local environments.
They noted that the creation of state police would enhance the security of communities, educational institutions, public facilities, and critical infrastructure through improved surveillance, intelligence sharing, and faster operational responses.
Advocates of the reform have long argued that a centralized policing structure has become overstretched in a country with over 200 million people and diverse security concerns spread across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The passage of the bill by the House of Representatives represents one of the most significant constitutional reform efforts aimed at redefining Nigeria’s internal security framework.
However, the proposed amendment must still progress through additional constitutional procedures, including consideration by the Senate and ratification by at least two-thirds of the country’s State Houses of Assembly before it can become part of the Constitution.
Security experts believe the reform could complement existing federal security structures while promoting greater accountability, community engagement, and operational efficiency in policing.
If eventually enacted, the State Police framework is expected to usher in a new era of security governance, allowing states to play a more direct role in maintaining law and order while supporting national security objectives.
Observers say the development reflects growing consensus among policymakers that innovative and locally driven solutions are necessary to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and build a safer environment for citizens.
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