Nigeria may be on the verge of one of its biggest security changes in decades as the Senate begins consideration of the proposed State Police Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
Many Nigerians see it as a possible solution to growing security challenges. However, concerns remain over funding, accountability, and the potential misuse of state police by political leaders.
President Tinubu formally sent the bill to the Senate, urging lawmakers to speed up its consideration. The proposal seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and create a legal framework for state police services across Nigeria.
According to the president, the reform is necessary to strengthen security and improve public safety.
“This bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police services in Nigeria,” Tinubu stated.
The president further explained that the proposal includes safeguards designed to support a dual policing system.
“It builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure can address our nation’s evolving security challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured Nigerians that the legislation would be carefully reviewed before passage. He stressed that strong measures would be included to prevent abuse of power.
“We must ensure there are adequate safeguards to prevent abuse. Even current governors who will one day leave office should not be afraid of the state police structure they helped create,” Akpabio said.
The State Police Bill was immediately referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review. The committee was directed to submit its report for further legislative action.
However, debate on the proposal was temporarily delayed following the announcement of the death of House of Representatives member, Hon. Yaya Tongo.
Despite the delay, support for the bill continues to grow. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposal as a national issue that goes beyond party politics.
“The issue of state police is one that cuts across all political parties. It has become a national issue,” he said.
Furthermore, governors have renewed calls for greater authority over security operations within their states.
Funding has also emerged as a major concern. Some stakeholders believe the proposed allocation may not be enough to sustain state police formations across the country.
Moreover, questions have been raised about how state police would operate alongside the federal police.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also defended the proposal, saying community-based policing would help security agencies respond faster to threats.
“The officer who comes from a community knows its roads, its markets, its people, its tensions,” Kalu said.
Therefore, many observers view the bill as a historic attempt to decentralise security management and bring policing closer to local communities.
