Nigeria has moved a step closer to restructuring its security architecture as the Senate on Wednesday passed the State Police Bill, a landmark constitutional amendment aimed at decentralising policing and enhancing security across the country.
The bill, 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 Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1055),” was approved during the consideration of the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The passage of the bill marks one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, as it seeks to address persistent security challenges through a more localized policing system.
Under the proposed framework, state governments will establish and oversee their respective police services, with governors empowered to appoint State Police Commissioners subject to stipulated constitutional provisions. The move is expected to give state authorities greater control over internal security operations and faster response capabilities to emerging threats.
According to the provisions of the bill, the Federal Police Service will retain responsibility for federal offences, national security matters, security within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), interstate crimes, organized criminal activities, terrorism-related offences, and other crimes that transcend state boundaries.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the creation of state police will strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community policing, and enhance the ability of security agencies to tackle localized criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry, cultism, and communal conflicts.
The debate over state police has dominated national discourse for years, with advocates insisting that a centralized policing structure has become inadequate for a country as vast and diverse as Nigeria. However, critics have raised concerns about the potential abuse of state-controlled police forces by political actors and governors.
With the Senate’s approval secured, attention now shifts to the House of Representatives and the state Houses of Assembly, whose endorsements will be crucial for the constitutional amendment process to be completed.
If eventually signed into law, the State Police Bill is expected to usher in a new era of security governance, fundamentally reshaping law enforcement and public safety administration across Nigeria.
