The Senate on Wednesday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police services across the federation, advancing one of Nigeria’s most significant security reforms in recent decades.
The legislation, which received the backing of more than two-thirds of senators during a manual voting process, seeks to decentralise policing by creating state police formations that will operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passage of the bill after lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposal during plenary.
The upper chamber approved the legislation after considering the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the committee, Senator Barau Jibrin.
A major provision of the bill empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.
Under the proposed amendment, while the Nigeria Police Force will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each state police service will be led by a Commissioner of Police responsible for overseeing security operations within the state.
The bill also outlines the relationship between governors and state police commands. Governors will be permitted to issue lawful written directives on matters relating to public safety and public order within their states.
To address longstanding concerns about the potential misuse of state police, lawmakers included safeguards aimed at protecting political freedoms and civil liberties.
One of the provisions bars state police authorities from arresting, detaining, investigating or deploying force against any individual, political party or group solely for criticising the government, except in accordance with the law.
The Senate’s approval came after lawmakers abandoned plans to use an electronic voting system for the consideration of constitutional amendment bills.Concerns over possible technical glitches prompted senators to adopt an open manual voting process to ensure full participation and transparency.
The debate on the bill was led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who described the proposal as a critical reform designed to strengthen internal security and improve responses to local threats across the country.
Several high-profile government officials witnessed the proceedings, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The passage of the bill marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s long-running debate over state policing. Supporters have consistently argued that the country’s centrally controlled police structure is overstretched and unable to effectively tackle growing security challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
However, critics have warned that state police could be abused by governors to intimidate political opponents and suppress dissent, concerns that lawmakers sought to address through constitutional safeguards included in the amendment.
Despite the Senate’s approval, the proposal must still secure the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before it can become part of the Constitution.
If eventually enacted, the amendment would fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s security architecture by creating state-controlled police services operating alongside the federal police system.
