The Nigerian Senate has passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill establishing state police services across the federation, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security.
The legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1055),” was approved on Wednesday during proceedings of the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
With its passage, the bill introduces a dual policing structure that will consist of a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, replacing the current framework under which the Nigeria Police Force operates as a single nationwide institution.
The amendment provides the constitutional foundation for the creation and operation of state police forces and state police commissions. It also ensures that the federal police structure remains operational in every state until individual state police services are fully established.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Police Service will retain responsibility for federal offences, national security matters, security within the Federal Capital Territory, interstate crimes, and organised criminal activities.
State police services will be tasked with maintaining public order, enforcing state laws, and protecting lives and property within their respective states.
The legislation further outlines procedures for the appointment, supervision, discipline, and removal of the Inspector-General of Police and state police commanders. It also grants the Federal Government limited powers to intervene in state police operations in situations involving threats to national security, operational failure, or a breakdown of public order.
The bill was considered after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele presented its general principles to lawmakers. It subsequently passed second reading, underwent clause-by-clause consideration, and was approved at third reading.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier transmitted the constitutional amendment bill to the Senate as part of his administration’s broader security reform agenda.
According to the President, the proposal is intended to provide a legal framework that allows states to establish and operate their own police services while maintaining a federal policing structure.
The Senate adopted a manual voting process during consideration of the bill after electronic voting devices failed to function despite repeated attempts to activate them for over 30 minutes.
Following a motion moved by Senate Leader Bamidele and seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, lawmakers proceeded with voting by raising their hands to indicate support or opposition to the measure.
The passage of the bill represents one of the most significant constitutional reforms in Nigeria’s security sector and is expected to reshape policing, public safety management, and intergovernmental security cooperation across the country.
