Nigeria’s security structure may be closer than many expected as the Senate has intensified efforts to establish state police across the country.
The renewed push comes at a time when concerns over insecurity continue to grow. Recent incidents involving kidnapping, bandit attacks, terrorism, and communal violence have increased pressure on authorities to adopt new security strategies.
In a development that could reshape policing nationwide, the Senate has announced that work on the constitutional amendment needed for state police will be treated as a top legislative priority this week.
The State Police Amendment has now emerged as one of the most closely watched security reforms in Nigeria. According to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, lawmakers are determined to accelerate the process as part of broader efforts to tackle security challenges affecting communities across the country.
Speaking in Abuja, Bamidele explained that discussions surrounding the proposal have advanced significantly. He noted that several stakeholders now agree that a decentralized policing system could strengthen security operations at the state level.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the proposal has received support from President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and other key stakeholders.
The growing support is being viewed as a major breakthrough for advocates of state policing. For years, calls for police reforms have intensified as criminal activities continued to affect different regions.
Nigeria currently operates a centralized police system under Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
Moreover, recent security incidents have added urgency to the conversation. Cases involving school abductions, attacks on communities, and violence against security personnel have strengthened calls for a different policing structure.
According to Bamidele, extensive consultations have already been conducted. These discussions reportedly involved the Presidency, National Assembly, Attorney-General’s office, security agencies, constitutional review committees, and other relevant institutions.
As a result, lawmakers are now preparing to move the proposal forward through the legislative process.
If approved by the National Assembly, the amendment will be transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for ratification.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional amendment procedure, support must be secured from at least two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly. In addition, approval must be received from at least 24 state assemblies before the proposal can be signed into law.
Furthermore, supporters argue that local police formations may improve response times and strengthen community-based policing.
However, concerns about oversight, accountability, and potential political influence are likely to remain part of the national debate.
For now, Senate leaders appear confident that the proposal has enough support to progress quickly through the legislative process.
