State Police Bill Gains Momentum as More State Assemblies Approve Constitutional Amendment
Thirteen Nigerian state assemblies have approved a bill to establish state police, advancing efforts to decentralize policing and enhance national security. While proponents highlight improved local response and crime fighting, critics voice concerns over potential abuse by governors and operational challenges. The constitutional amendment still requires approval from 11 more states to meet the necessary two-thirds threshold.
Nigeria’s proposed restructuring of its security architecture has gained momentum, with multiple state Houses of Assembly approving a constitutional amendment bill to establish state police. The reform seeks to decentralise policing and strengthen the country’s response to persistent security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and farmer-herder conflicts.
Known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, the proposal seeks to amend Sections 214, 215 and 216 of the Constitution and introduce a new Section 317A, creating a legal framework for state police services alongside the federal police system. It also provides for consequential amendments to constitutional provisions governing police service commissions and policing administration at both federal and state levels.
State-level approvals have come from assemblies including Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Enugu, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Kwara and Adamawa, although recent reports have differed in their overall tally, and Benue has also approved the proposal. In Taraba, Speaker John Bonzena said state police could help tackle criminal activities, create employment and improve collaboration among security agencies, while Nasarawa lawmakers approved all 26 clauses of the bill.
Plateau lawmakers adopted an ad hoc committee’s recommendations, with Speaker Naanlong Daniel arguing that state police could complement the Nigeria Police Force and improve security coordination; in Cross River, all 22 members present reportedly voted in favour, with Speaker Elvert Ayambem stressing the importance of the rule of law and fundamental rights. Supporters say decentralised policing could improve local intelligence gathering and response times, but critics warn that governors could misuse state-controlled forces against political opponents, journalists and dissenters, raising questions about funding, recruitment, operational independence, human rights and accountability.
The Senate passed the constitutional amendment on June 24, 2026, followed by the House of Representatives on July 23, before the bill was transmitted to the state assemblies on September 16. Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, the proposal requires approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly—24 states—before the constitutional amendment process can proceed to the next stage.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Working Group on State Police, chaired by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, has submitted a draft National Policing Bill and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for review and validation; the drafts are expected to return to the group by October 30 for final consideration before presentation to President Bola Tinubu and subsequent transmission to the National Assembly.
The parallel legislative efforts reflect a broader push to establish the legal and operational framework for state policing, although the reform’s progress will depend on the required state approvals and safeguards against political abuse.