President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security framework.
The proposed legislation was read during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after being forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the President, the bill aims to create the constitutional foundation for a dual policing structure that would allow state governments to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
Tinubu explained that the proposal forms a key part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the country’s ability to tackle crime and insecurity at the grassroots level.
Under the proposed arrangement, states, local governments and communities would play more active roles in maintaining security and responding to local threats.
Following its presentation, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review with a directive to submit its report on Wednesday.
Speaking on the proposal, the Senate President emphasized the importance of community-based policing, noting that local authorities are often better positioned to identify suspicious activities and emerging security threats.
“You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” Akpabio stated.
He further disclosed that the implementation of state policing would be carried out in phases through constitutional amendments and supporting legislation by the National Assembly.
“We will do it in two phases through alteration and an Act of Parliament. There will be a lot of safeguards; let us come and do this important task. It is extremely important that we come tomorrow,” he said.
The latest development comes just weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading.
Akpabio noted that the new Constitution Alteration Bill is intended to provide the legal and constitutional backing required for the creation of state police formations across the country.
The debate over state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most significant constitutional and security discussions, with supporters arguing that decentralizing policing would improve intelligence gathering, rapid response and community security.
However, critics have previously expressed concerns about possible abuse by state governments and the need for strong safeguards to prevent political interference in state-controlled police agencies.
If eventually approved by the National Assembly and ratified through the constitutional amendment process, the proposal could mark one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s security structure since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
