Gombe Assembly Makes History: Passes State Police Bill

The Gombe State House of Assembly has recently passed the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, marking a significant step towards the establishment of state police in Nigeria to enhance nationwide security. This pivotal legislative action aligns Gombe with other states endorsing proposed constitutional changes aimed at addressing the nation's persistent security challenges.

The comprehensive bill, consisting of 26 distinct clauses, was initially transmitted to the Gombe State Assembly by the National Assembly on October 6, 2026. This transmission was a procedural requirement, seeking concurrence from the state legislatures in accordance with Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The core objective of this proposed legislation is to amend the existing Constitution to create a robust legal framework that would facilitate the establishment of a State Police Service, designed to operate independently from the federally controlled Nigeria Police Force.

The passage of the bill by the Gombe State Assembly occurred on Thursday, following a thorough consideration of the report prepared by its specially constituted Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution. Upon receiving the bill, the House had established a seven-member ad hoc committee, which was chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sadam Bello Sale. This committee was tasked with the critical responsibility of meticulously examining the proposed amendments.

During his presentation of the committee's findings, Hon. Sadam Bello Sale informed the House that the members had engaged in extensive consultations with various relevant stakeholders as an integral part of their review process. He further emphasized that the committee's report garnered the full support of a two-thirds majority of the members, a requirement strictly adhered to under Order 17, Rule 3 of the Gombe State House of Assembly Standing Orders, 2020.

The legislative process culminated during Thursday's plenary session, where lawmakers critically considered the committee's report at the Committee of the Whole. Subsequently, they unanimously adopted recommendations that advocate for amendments to various constitutional provisions. These adopted amendments specifically pertain to the establishment and operational modalities of state police services, ensuring their distinct separation from the existing federal police structure.

Commenting on the landmark passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo, highlighted the unwavering and unanimous support from all members for the proposed legal framework. He underscored his conviction that the establishment of state police would substantially fortify the country's security apparatus. Speaker Luggerewo also took the opportunity to commend the lawmakers for their dedication, commitment, and resilience throughout the rigorous legislative process.

The seven distinguished members who served on the ad hoc committee include Hon. Sadam Bello Sale (Chair), Hon. Musa Buaba, Hon. Shuaibu Adamu Haruna, Hon. Golkos Gaius Gaji, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar, Hon. Muhammad Tahir, and Hon. Adamu Sale Pata. Additionally, Barr. Hauwa Abdullahi and Barr. Babadidi J. Mele provided crucial support and expertise as secretaries to the esteemed committee.