•••Governors to appoint police commissioners as constitutional amendment advances
The Senate on Wednesday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police across the country, marking a significant step toward decentralising Nigeria’s policing system and strengthening security at the sub-national level.
The landmark legislation, which scaled third reading during plenary, seeks to amend relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
Under the proposed amendment, policing would be moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby granting both the Federal Government and state governments constitutional authority to maintain police formations.
The bill also empowers governors to appoint State Commissioners of Police, subject to constitutional provisions and legislative oversight, while State Houses of Assembly would be responsible for enacting laws governing the establishment and operations of state police services.
In addition, the legislation provides for the creation of State Police Service Commissions to oversee recruitment, promotions, discipline and administration of personnel within their respective states.
Supporters of the bill argued that the reform would enhance intelligence gathering, improve community policing and enable faster responses to security threats, particularly in rural communities where criminal activities often go unchecked due to inadequate manpower and logistical constraints.
Leading debate on the proposal, lawmakers maintained that the establishment of state police has become necessary in view of the growing security challenges facing the nation, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal conflicts.
To address concerns about possible political misuse of state police by governors, the bill contains oversight and accountability mechanisms aimed at ensuring professionalism, operational independence and respect for citizens’ rights.
The Senate noted that the Federal Police would continue to retain responsibility for national security matters, including counter-terrorism operations, border security, cybercrime investigations and other offences that transcend state boundaries.
The passage of the bill represents a major constitutional milestone, but it must still secure approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted for presidential assent and become law.
The move has been widely regarded as one of the most far-reaching security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, with proponents expressing optimism that it will strengthen grassroots security architecture and improve public safety across the federation.
