The Senate has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, marking a significant move toward decentralising Nigeria’s policing system and addressing growing security concerns across the country.
Under the proposed legislation, state governors will have the power to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.
The bill also includes provisions aimed at preventing abuse of the new policing structure. It bars state police from targeting or harassing individuals and groups for criticising the government, while introducing safeguards intended to limit political interference.
Despite its passage by the Senate, the proposal is not yet law. It must still be approved by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before it can be incorporated into the Constitution.
If eventually adopted, the amendment would represent one of the most far-reaching changes to Nigeria’s security framework since the return to democratic rule, with the potential to reshape policing and strengthen local security responses nationwide.
