State Police Bill Advances in Senate, Referred to Constitution Review Committee

A bill seeking to establish state police and transfer aspects of policing powers to subnational governments on Thursday scaled second reading in the Senate and was subsequently referred for further legislative consideration.

The proposed legislation, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture, was not passed but directed to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for detailed scrutiny before any final consideration.

Presiding over the session, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, referred the bill to the constitutional review committee for further deliberation in line with parliamentary procedure.

Leading the debate, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, described the bill as a necessary response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, violent extremism, mass abductions, communal clashes, cultism, and cyber-related crimes.

He argued that the country’s centralised policing structure had become overstretched and less effective in addressing localized security threats, making a decentralised policing model increasingly necessary.

The bill proposes the establishment of both federal and state police structures, alongside State Police Service Commissions, clearly defined operational responsibilities, and enhanced coordination mechanisms under a cooperative federal system.

Bamidele explained that the reform seeks to strengthen internal security without undermining national unity, but rather to improve efficiency in the discharge of constitutional responsibilities across all tiers of government.

He acknowledged concerns about possible abuse of state-controlled policing systems but said the bill includes safeguards such as federal oversight, uniform policing standards, legislative confirmation of senior appointments, and periodic evaluation of state police operations.

Other safeguards include constitutional procedures for the removal of state police commissioners and provisions for federal intervention in cases of serious breakdown of law and order.

The Senate Leader maintained that policing is most effective when it is locally driven, noting that officers familiar with local environments, languages, and cultures are better positioned to gather intelligence and prevent crime.

He further stated that state police would enhance intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to security threats, and strengthen community trust in law enforcement institutions.

According to him, the reform would also reduce pressure on the Nigeria Police Force by allowing it to focus on interstate crimes, terrorism, organised criminal networks, cybercrime, border security, and protection of critical national assets.

He cited examples from federal systems such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany, where subnational policing structures operate alongside federal agencies.

Following the debate, senators overwhelmingly supported the general principles of the bill but agreed that it should undergo further review under the constitutional amendment process before any final legislative action.

The bill was therefore referred to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for detailed consideration and harmonisation with existing constitutional provisions.