Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that 32 state Houses of Assembly have approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would pave the way for the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday, November 12, 2026, while addressing supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Benin City, Edo State.
He described the development as a major step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that state-controlled police formations would strengthen the existing federal policing system.
According to the Senate President, the proposed arrangement would allow state police to operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force, providing additional capacity to tackle insecurity across the country.
He expressed optimism that the constitutional reform would improve security by bringing policing closer to communities and enabling authorities to respond more effectively to local security threats.
Akpabio said the 32 state assemblies had submitted their decisions approving the proposed constitutional alteration, although he did not identify the states individually during his remarks.
Beyond the proposed state police system, the Senate President highlighted several security interventions in Edo State.
He said the Federal Government had established a new Mobile Police formation, identified as MOPOL 82 Squadron, alongside an Army division intended to strengthen security operations in the state.
He also disclosed that more than 500 forest guards had been recruited from among young people in Edo to support efforts to tackle criminal activities, particularly in forested areas.
Akpabio commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his administration’s commitment to improving security and infrastructure development in the South-South region.
On infrastructure, he referenced the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, claiming that an additional 100 kilometres had been provided to extend the project across more areas of Edo State.
He also attributed increased infrastructure development in the state, including the construction of flyovers, partly to improved revenue allocations to state governments under the Tinubu administration.
The Senate President praised Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo for his administration’s development efforts, describing several parts of the state as active construction sites.
Akpabio further expressed confidence that the APC would receive strong electoral support in Edo and other parts of the country ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The rally attracted Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Governor Okpebholo, APC leaders and party supporters.
If implemented, state policing would represent a significant change in Nigeria’s security framework, which has historically operated through a centrally administered national police system.
However, the proposed reform still requires the completion of the constitutional alteration process before state police can be formally established.
