Reps Approve State Police Bill, Advance Major Security Overhaul

The House of Representatives on Thursday took a decisive step toward restructuring Nigeria’s policing system as it passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police across the federation.

The bill, 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 for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved at the Committee of the Whole following overwhelming support from lawmakers.

The proposal was presented by the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, and sailed through after a voice and manual voting process showed near-unanimous backing.

Out of the lawmakers present, 289 voted in favour of the bill, one abstained, while none voted against it.

The amendment seeks to introduce a dual policing structure in Nigeria, allowing both Federal Police and State Police to operate concurrently as part of efforts to address worsening security challenges through decentralised law enforcement.

Specifically, the bill proposes an amendment to Section 214 of the Constitution to formally establish the two-tier policing system. It also empowers the National Assembly to define the structure, administration and operational standards for both policing formations.

Under the proposed framework, state police forces will only become operational after enabling laws are passed by State Houses of Assembly and certified to meet minimum national standards set by the federal legislature.

The Federal Police will continue to maintain policing authority in states where state commands are not yet operational.

To prevent abuse and ensure coordination, the bill restricts federal intervention in state policing except in situations involving breakdown of law and order, formal requests from state governors, or operational incapacitation of state police structures.

It also introduces new provisions on leadership appointments within the police system. The Inspector-General of Police is to be appointed by the President based on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council, subject to Senate confirmation, and selected from serving officers of the Federal Police.

Similarly, State Commissioners of Police will be appointed by governors on the recommendation of the Nigeria Police Council, subject to confirmation by State Houses of Assembly, and drawn from serving officers within state policing structures.

The bill further grants governors authority to issue lawful directives to state police commissioners on matters of public safety, while providing a dispute resolution mechanism through the Nigeria Police Council where such directives are considered unlawful or inconsistent with policing standards.

Additional amendments also replace references to the National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission with the Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission across relevant constitutional provisions.

The passage of the bill marks one of the most significant milestones in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, reigniting national debate on restructuring policing as a response to rising insecurity.

For the proposal to become law, it must secure concurrence from the Senate, approval by at least two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly, and eventual presidential assent.

If finally adopted, the reform is expected to establish a decentralised policing model aimed at improving response to banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats through enhanced local control and coordination.