The House of Representatives is expected to begin voting on a constitutional amendment bill aimed at establishing state police, a move lawmakers say could help address Nigeria’s growing security concerns.
The Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this during a press briefing with journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday.
The proposed legislation comes amid increasing insecurity across the country, including cases of kidnapping, terrorism, armed banditry, and violent attacks that have intensified calls for reforms to Nigeria’s policing system.
Sponsored by Kalu alongside 14 lawmakers, the bill successfully passed second reading in February 2024. The proposal seeks to transfer policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, giving state governments the constitutional backing to establish and oversee their own police structures.
To make this possible, the amendment targets several sections of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 197, 214, and 215.
Speaking on the need for the reform, Kalu argued that tackling insecurity should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of the executive arm of government. He stressed that the legislature also has a constitutional duty to contribute solutions through lawmaking and oversight functions.
According to him, the National Assembly must make effective use of its legislative powers to confront Nigeria’s complex security problems. He explained that while lawmakers continue to engage security chiefs and government agencies, legal reforms remain an important part of long-term solutions.
Kalu further noted that the current centralised policing system has not produced the desired outcomes in curbing insecurity nationwide, making structural reform increasingly necessary.
He said the House is prioritising measures designed to improve security operations, strengthen local intelligence gathering, and close existing gaps in law enforcement through constitutional changes.
The Deputy Speaker also revealed that the proposal has gained support from major stakeholders, including the Presidency, state governors, and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
Expressing optimism about the bill’s progress, Kalu said lawmakers are committed to ensuring its passage before forwarding it to state Houses of Assembly for further consideration.
The debate over state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most controversial constitutional reform issues for years. Supporters believe decentralised policing would improve response times, deepen community policing, and strengthen intelligence gathering at the local level.
However, opponents have raised fears that governors could abuse state-controlled police agencies for political purposes, especially in states where democratic institutions are weak.
Despite concerns, growing insecurity across the country has continued to strengthen public support for reforms. If approved by the National Assembly and ratified by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly, the amendment could mark one of the most significant security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
