After decades of debate and repeated failed attempts, Nigeria has taken its most significant step yet toward establishing state police, a reform widely seen as critical to tackling the country’s worsening security crisis.
The Senate on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment bill that would create state police services alongside the existing federal police structure, marking a major milestone in efforts to decentralise policing in Africa’s most populous nation.
The proposal, which was transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu as part of ongoing constitutional reforms, secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators during a manual voting process presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The passage comes amid growing concerns over the ability of Nigeria’s centrally controlled police force to respond effectively to rising insecurity, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, communal violence and attacks on rural communities.
For years, governors, security experts, traditional rulers and civil society groups have argued that the country’s policing architecture is overstretched and disconnected from local realities. Supporters of state police say officers recruited and managed closer to their communities would be better positioned to gather intelligence and respond quickly to security threats.
The reform has also enjoyed increasing support from state governments frustrated by their limited control over security operations despite being designated as chief security officers of their states.
Governors gain powers
One of the most consequential provisions of the bill gives governors significant authority over the proposed state police services.
Under Clause 17, each State Police Service will be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.
The bill also empowers governors to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to the state police commissioner on matters relating to public safety and public order.
The provision represents a major departure from the current arrangement under which police commissioners report through a federal chain of command to the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the bill attempts to address fears that governors could weaponise state police against political opponents.
It expressly states that a state police commissioner cannot arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any individual, political party or group simply for criticising the government except in accordance with the law.
The legislation also allows the Inspector-General of Police or a state commissioner to challenge directives considered unlawful or inconsistent with national standards before the relevant Police Service Commission or the courts.
To further protect operational independence, a state police commissioner cannot be removed arbitrarily. Any suspension or removal must be based on stated cause, recommended by the National Police Council and approved by a two-thirds majority of members of the State House of Assembly.
Federal police powers reduced
While the bill grants states substantial policing powers, it preserves a strong role for the federal government in exceptional circumstances.
Under the proposed framework, the Federal Police Service may temporarily assume operational control of a state’s police service where there is a breakdown of public order, a serious threat to national security or evidence that a state police force is being misused.
Federal intervention may also occur if a governor requests assistance or if a state police service becomes unable to function because of administrative, financial or operational failures.
The bill specifically authorises intervention where there is evidence of systematic human rights abuses, partisan intimidation, ethnic or religious persecution, or unlawful obstruction of constitutional governance.
Any federal intervention must be temporary, proportionate and limited to the scope required to address the problem. The president would be required to specify the reasons, territorial coverage and duration of such intervention, while affected state authorities and the National Assembly must be notified within 48 hours.
The legality of any intervention would also remain subject to judicial review.
New State Police Commissions proposed
To oversee recruitment, discipline and accountability, the bill provides for the creation of a State Police Service Commission in every state.
The commission would recommend candidates for appointment as state police commissioners to the National Police Council and oversee the appointment, promotion, transfer and discipline of other officers.
It would also handle complaints, accountability mechanisms and broader oversight responsibilities aimed at ensuring professionalism and public trust in the new policing system.
The bill also addresses the status of regional and community security organisations that have emerged in response to insecurity.
In recent years, states have established various local security outfits, including Amotekun in the South-west, Ebube Agu in the South-east and Hisbah corps in parts of northern Nigeria.
Under the proposed law, these organisations would not automatically become state police agencies.
The legislation specifically states that no existing vigilante, neighbourhood, traffic, community or regional security outfit may exercise police powers or carry firearms unless authorised under the Constitution and an Act of the National Assembly.
The provision is intended to ensure a uniform legal framework and prevent the proliferation of armed groups operating outside constitutional oversight.
Long road ahead
Although the Senate’s approval marks a major breakthrough, the constitutional amendment has not yet become law.
The House of Representatives passed the state police bill on June 11. Both chambers must now harmonize their approved bills before being transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
For the amendment to take effect, at least 24 state assemblies must approve it. Wednesday’s vote represents one of the most consequential security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, and Uba Sani of Kaduna were present in the chamber to observe the vote, alongside Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Nigeria Governors’ Forum Director-General Lateef Shittu, and several state attorneys-general — signalling the strong gubernatorial interest in a bill that significantly expands their security powers.
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