The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday advanced the proposed State Police constitutional amendment bill, passing it through second reading during plenary in Abuja.
The legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide legal backing for the establishment of state-level policing structures.
The motion for accelerated consideration of the executive bill was moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who also led the debate on its general principles.
Lawmakers adopted the proposal after extensive deliberation, sending it to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative review.
The session also witnessed the presence of state governors, attorneys-general, and senior federal officials, underscoring the importance of the reform.
Bamidele explained that the bill proposes a dual policing structure, combining federal and state police services under clear constitutional guidelines.
He said the framework includes:
- Establishment of state police services
- Creation of independent state police commissions
- Enforcement of national policing standards
- Federal oversight in exceptional security situations
- Protection of citizens’ fundamental rights
According to him, the reform aims to strengthen community policing, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to security threats.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe supported the bill but stressed the need for strong safeguards to prevent political misuse of state police structures.
He warned that without proper checks, state security outfits could be vulnerable to abuse and interference.
Former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, also backed the proposal, describing it as a step toward strengthening Nigeria’s federal system.
He, however, urged lawmakers to ensure constitutional protections that would guarantee professionalism and citizens’ rights.
Senator Mohammed Monguno noted that several informal community security groups across the country already reflect the need for structured state policing.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the presence of top government officials during the session reflected the national importance of the bill.
He added that the proposed reform was a response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and growing demand for decentralized policing solutions.
Akpabio assured that the legislative process would remain transparent and inclusive as deliberations continue.
