The Senate on Thursday passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill establishing State Police Services across the 36 states of the federation, paving the way for a dual policing structure in Nigeria.
The bill, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, seeks to replace the long-standing centralized policing system with a Federal Police Service and separate State Police Services.
The historic vote was conducted through a manual show of hands after the Senate’s electronic voting system developed technical faults. All 88 senators present voted in support of the amendment.
Under the bill, states can establish their own police services after passing the necessary laws through their Houses of Assembly and obtaining certification that they meet national minimum standards set by the National Assembly.
While state police will be responsible for local security and public safety, the Federal Police Service will retain exclusive control over national security matters, terrorism, cybercrime, interstate crimes, arms trafficking, the Federal Capital Territory and federal institutions.
To address concerns about possible abuse by governors, the legislation includes safeguards allowing federal intervention where a state police service is unable to maintain public order, becomes incapacitated or is used to violate fundamental rights or intimidate political opponents.
The bill also provides that state police cannot operate outside their territorial boundaries unless specifically authorized by an Act of the National Assembly.
Leading debate on the legislation, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the reform would strengthen intelligence gathering and improve responses to local security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts.
The amendment further protects police leadership from arbitrary removal and prohibits the use of police agencies for partisan, ethnic, religious or personal interests.
Several top government officials witnessed the debate, including Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The passage of the bill marks one of the most significant constitutional reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and is expected to reshape the country’s security architecture.
