By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
The Gombe State House of Assembly has unanimously supported a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish and operate State Police Services separate from the Federal Police Service.
The decision followed the consideration and adoption of a report submitted by the Ad-hoc Committee on Constitutional Review on the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Saddam Bello Sale, said the proposed amendment seeks to provide constitutional backing for state governments to establish and operate their own police services.
He explained that the initiative was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and improving the capacity of law enforcement agencies to address security challenges across the country.
According to him, the committee held several meetings and consultations with relevant stakeholders before recommending that the bill be supported by a two-thirds majority of all members of the House, in accordance with Order 17, Rule 3 of the Gombe State House of Assembly Standing Orders, 2020.
The recommendation was subsequently considered by members of the Assembly, who unanimously concurred with the committee’s report, signalling their support for the proposed establishment of State Police Services.
The proposed amendment is expected to provide a legal framework for state police to operate independently of the Federal Police Service, subject to constitutional provisions and applicable legislation.
Rt. Hon. Saddam Bello Sale noted that the move came amid ongoing national discussions on constitutional reforms and the need to strengthen security arrangements, improve responses to local threats and enhance the protection of lives and property.
Proponents of State Police have argued that the initiative could promote community-based policing, improve intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to respond more swiftly to threats at the grassroots level.
The unanimous decision reflects the Gombe State Assembly’s participation in the ongoing national constitutional review process and its consideration of reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
However, the Deputy Speaker emphasised that the proposed amendment must undergo the relevant constitutional amendment procedures before it can become part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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