The House of Representatives has passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria, signaling a major shift in the country’s approach to internal security and law enforcement.
The bill, 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 for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved on Thursday during deliberations at the Committee of the Whole.
The session was presided over by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, following the presentation of the report by Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Kalu urged lawmakers to support the proposal, arguing that a decentralised policing system would improve the nation’s capacity to address rising security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
Voting on the bill was conducted manually, with lawmakers indicating their positions by raising their hands. The outcome showed overwhelming support, as 289 members voted in favour of the amendment, one lawmaker abstained, while none opposed the proposal.
The constitutional amendment seeks to create both Federal Police and State Police formations as part of a broader restructuring of Nigeria’s policing architecture.
One of the key provisions of the bill amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally recognise the establishment of state police alongside the Federal Police. Under the proposal, the National Assembly will determine the structure, administration and powers of the Federal Police while also setting minimum operational standards for state police services.
The legislation stipulates that no state police force can commence operations unless it is established through a law enacted by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as meeting national standards prescribed by the National Assembly.
The bill further provides that the Federal Police will continue to exercise policing powers in any state until its state police formation becomes fully operational.
To safeguard the independence of state police commands, the amendment limits federal intervention in state security affairs. The Federal Police may only intervene when there is a complete breakdown of law and order, upon a governor’s request, or when a state police force becomes incapable of carrying out its responsibilities due to administrative, financial or operational difficulties.
The proposal also introduces significant changes to the appointment and command structure of police leadership at both federal and state levels.
Under the amended provisions, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Nigeria Police Council and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Similarly, State Commissioners of Police would be appointed by governors based on recommendations from the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by their respective State Houses of Assembly.
Governors would also be empowered to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and law enforcement. However, where a commissioner considers such directives unlawful or inconsistent with policing standards, the issue may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council for a final decision.
Supporters of the bill argue that state policing will enable faster responses to local security threats and improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.
The passage of the bill represents one of the most significant security reform efforts since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. However, debates are expected to continue over funding, accountability, operational control and safeguards against potential abuse of state police powers.
The bill will now proceed to the Senate for concurrence. If approved, it must also secure the support of at least two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly and receive presidential assent before becoming law.
If eventually enacted, the legislation could usher in a new era of decentralised policing and reshape Nigeria’s strategy for combating insecurity across the country.
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