The Nigerian Senate has intensified efforts to establish state police, announcing that the constitutional amendment required to decentralise the country’s policing system will be a top legislative priority this week.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed this in Abuja, saying the National Assembly is committed to fast-tracking amendments to the 1999 Constitution in response to Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
According to him, the proposal already enjoys broad support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and other key stakeholders, reflecting what he described as a national consensus on the need to decentralise policing through the creation of state police structures.
The renewed push comes amid rising insecurity across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes. Recent incidents such as the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, as well as attacks on military personnel, have further strengthened calls for a state-based policing system.
Nigeria currently operates a single centralised police force under Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution. However, Bamidele said consultations involving the National Assembly, the Presidency, the Attorney-General’s office, the Chief of Staff to the President, security agencies and constitutional review committees have made significant progress.
He explained that the state police proposal will now be treated as a standalone amendment and voted on separately. If approved by the National Assembly, it will proceed to the 36 state Houses of Assembly, where it must secure approval from at least 24 states before it can be transmitted to the President for assent into law.
Elijah Adeyemi
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