President has transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police to the , in a move aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.
The development was disclosed by the Senate President, , during plenary on Tuesday.
Akpabio announced that the Senate would begin consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment on Wednesday, adding that state governments had also expressed readiness to deliberate on the bill once it is transmitted to them.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to create a legal framework for the establishment and operation of state police forces across the federation.
The move represents a major step in the long-running debate over decentralising Nigeria’s policing system, with proponents arguing that locally controlled security structures would improve intelligence gathering and enable faster responses to crimes within communities.
President Tinubu had in February urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, arguing that Nigeria’s current centralised policing structure requires reform to effectively address emerging security challenges.
The President has repeatedly stated that state police would strengthen community-based security efforts and provide states with greater responsibility in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
Supporters of state policing have maintained that closer proximity between security agencies and local communities would enhance crime prevention and improve collaboration between citizens and law enforcement authorities.
However, previous debates on the issue have also raised concerns over possible political interference, human rights abuses and the need for strong safeguards to ensure professionalism and accountability in the operations of state police commands.
The bill is expected to undergo legislative scrutiny, including consultations with stakeholders and state assemblies, before any possible amendment to the Constitution can be achieved.
