Nigerian Senate Passes Historic Bill to Establish State Police

The Nigerian Senate officially passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill on Wednesday, authorizing the creation of state-level police forces across the federation. The move marks a major shift in the nation’s security architecture, aiming to decentralize law enforcement to better address rising rates of banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.

The legislation was passed following a rigorous clause-by-clause review and a manual voting process in the upper chamber. Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the passage after a majority of lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal, which was presented by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution.

Under the new framework, state police services will operate concurrently with the existing federal police system. A key provision empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by their local Houses of Assembly. Furthermore, governors will have the authority to issue lawful, written policy directives regarding the maintenance of public safety and order within their jurisdictions.

To address long-standing concerns that state-controlled law enforcement could be weaponized against political rivals, the bill includes specific legal safeguards. The legislation explicitly prohibits state police from arresting, detaining, or using force against individuals or groups based solely on their criticism of the government.

The voting session was notable for the Senate’s decision to move from a planned electronic voting system to a manual process. Leadership opted for this change to ensure full transparency and to prevent potential technical glitches from disenfranchising lawmakers during the historic vote. The proceeding was witnessed by several high-profile officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the governors of Kaduna, Ogun, and Ondo states.

While proponents argue that the reform is essential for improving response times to local security threats, critics have historically maintained that safeguards must be strictly enforced to prevent abuse. With this major legislative hurdle cleared, the bill now moves to the next stage of the constitutional amendment process, requiring approval from state Houses of Assembly to become law.