By: Abdullahi InuwaÂ
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, marking a significant step toward one of Nigeria’s most far-reaching security reforms.
The lawmakers approved the bill during plenary after voting in support of the proposal, which aims to decentralise policing and empower states to establish and manage their own police outfits alongside the federal structure.
The passage of the bill is expected to reignite nationwide debate on the future of policing, with supporters arguing that state police will strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering and enhance rapid response to crime and insecurity.
For years, the creation of state police has remained a contentious national issue, attracting support from governors, security experts and traditional leaders who believe localised policing is crucial to tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
With the House’s approval, the proposed constitutional amendment has moved a step closer to becoming law, subject to further legislative and constitutional processes.
The development is being viewed as a landmark move that could reshape Nigeria’s security architecture and redefine the fight against crime across the federation.
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