State Police Gets Major Boost as 30 State Assemblies Approve Bill – Bamidele

The proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria has received a major legislative boost, with 30 State Houses of Assembly approving the bill, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has disclosed.

Bamidele announced the development during plenary on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, revealing the number of state legislatures that have so far endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment.

The development marks significant progress in the National Assembly’s efforts to amend the Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of state police as part of broader measures to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

The proposed reform is aimed at decentralising the country’s policing system, giving state governments greater responsibility for maintaining law and order and strengthening responses to security threats within their jurisdictions.

Advocates of state police have consistently argued that a decentralised policing structure would improve intelligence gathering, enhance community-based security and enable faster responses to crimes and other security emergencies.

The endorsement by 30 State Houses of Assembly represents a critical step in the constitutional amendment process, which requires the participation of state legislatures before the proposed changes can take effect.

The development is expected to intensify discussions around the structure, funding, accountability and operational safeguards needed to ensure that state police serve the public interest and are not used for political intimidation.

Bamidele’s announcement signals growing legislative momentum behind one of Nigeria’s most debated security reforms, as the country continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.