Defense and Security
Senate Approves State Police Bill, Handcuff Governors Power
The Senate of Nigeria on Wednesday passed a landmark constitutional alteration bill seeking the establishment of State Police across the federation, marking a significant step in ongoing security and governance reforms.
The 25-clause bill, transmitted as part of broader constitutional amendments, provides a legal framework for states to establish their own police services while introducing strict safeguards to prevent political interference and abuse of power.
Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposed law was designed to address longstanding concerns that governors could misuse state-controlled police formations to harass political opponents or suppress dissent.
To curb such risks, the legislation explicitly prohibits any governor from directing a State Police Service to unlawfully target individuals, political parties, groups, or associations. It also bars the use of policing powers for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional, or personal interests.
A key provision in the bill allows for federal intervention in exceptional circumstances, including breakdowns of public order, institutional failure of a State Police Service, serious violations of fundamental rights, electoral intimidation, or threats to national security.
Such intervention must be authorised in writing by the President, clearly stating the scope, duration, and justification. It must also be communicated within 48 hours to relevant authorities, including state governors, Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, the National Police Council, and the National Assembly.
The bill further empowers the National Assembly to set minimum national standards for both federal and state police institutions, covering recruitment, training, discipline, use of force, and firearms management.
Under the proposed structure, the current single policing system under the Nigeria Police Force would be replaced with a dual arrangement comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, which states may establish through enabling legislation passed by their respective Houses of Assembly.
However, the bill makes clear that State Police will not be automatically created. Any state intending to establish one must pass a law and obtain certification confirming compliance with national standards.
The Federal Police Service will retain responsibility for national security duties, including counter-terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, inter-state crimes, and the protection of federal institutions, including the Federal Capital Territory.
Lawmakers say the reform is expected to strengthen community policing, improve response times to security threats, and allow federal agencies to focus on complex national security challenges.
The passage follows renewed national debate on decentralising policing powers as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
The bill, passed clause-by-clause in line with proposals transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, now proceeds to the House of Representatives for harmonisation before being sent to state legislatures for approval in accordance with constitutional amendment procedures.
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