The Senate on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Abuja advanced the Constitution Amendment Bill to establish state police by passing it through a second reading.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved to suspend Senate rules to fast-track consideration of the executive bill that would constitutionally authorize state policing. He told the chamber the proposal would create state police forces while preserving a robust federal police structure, national minimum standards, accountability measures, and safeguards against misuse.
Bamidele said the draft law includes independent state police service commissions, protection of fundamental rights, and provisions for federal intervention in exceptional circumstances. He argued that state police would bolster community policing, improve intelligence gathering, and speed responses to security threats.
Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, contributing to the debate, said Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation demands innovative solutions but warned that constitutional protections must prevent political interference and abuse.
He also called for clear constitutional guarantees on funding and oversight to keep state police professional, accountable, and independent.
Former Sokoto Governor Sen. Aminu Tambuwal described the bill as a crucial step toward deepening federalism and tackling persistent security challenges, while urging lawmakers to include strong safeguards to protect citizens’ rights and guard against misuse by state authorities.
Sen. Mohammed Monguno supported the move as well, saying existing community security arrangements show the case for formal state-level policing.
With widespread backing during debate, the Senate passed the bill through second reading and sent it to the committee of the whole for further legislative scrutiny.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the senate earlier suspended its rules to admit governors, attorneys-general, Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila and other senior government officials into the chamber to observe proceedings.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said that the presence of the officials underscored the importance of the proposed constitutional amendment and demonstrated transparency in the legislative process.
Akpabio said the proposed amendment would address the growing security challenges across the country and reflect increasing calls for innovative and sustainable solutions.
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