Maha Christopher
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, marking a significant step in efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen security across Nigeria.
The bill, which seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution, was approved during plenary after lawmakers considered and adopted the report of the committee on constitutional review.
Announcing the passage of the legislation, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said the chamber had approved the proposal to provide for the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
“We have submitted a report to the bill for an act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, to provide for the establishment of state police and, in so doing, approve the bill,” the Speaker stated.
The proposal enjoyed overwhelming support from lawmakers, securing 289 votes in favour, one vote against, out of a total of 290 votes cast.
The passage represents one of the most far-reaching constitutional reforms considered by the National Assembly in recent years, amid growing calls for a restructuring of Nigeria’s security framework in response to rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes.
Advocates of state policing have argued that allowing states to establish and control their own police forces would improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to security threats and address local challenges more effectively.
The bill will now proceed through the remaining stages of the constitutional amendment process, including consideration by state Houses of Assembly, before it can become part of the Constitution.
