Nigeria moved closer to adopting state policing after the Senate passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services nationwide.
The Senate’s action came a day after President Bola Tinubu transmitted the bill to lawmakers.
The President described the proposal as a crucial step towards reforming Nigeria’s security architecture.
According to him, the amendment will provide a legal basis for federal and state police institutions to coexist.
He said local governments, municipalities and communities would play stronger roles in maintaining security.
The proposed legislation introduces a dual policing structure consisting of a Federal Police Service and separate State Police Services across the federation.
The bill was presented on the Senate floor by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who outlined its key objectives and provisions.
Following debate on its general principles, lawmakers subjected the proposal to clause-by-clause consideration before approving it at third reading.
The measure secured the backing of more than two-thirds of senators, meeting the constitutional threshold required for passage.
A major provision grants governors authority to appoint state Commissioners of Police for their respective states.
However, such appointments must be recommended by the National Police Council and approved by state Houses of Assembly.
The bill also requires state police chiefs to meet qualifications and minimum standards that would be determined by the National Assembly.
Under the proposed framework, each State Police Service would operate under a Commissioner of Police appointed through the outlined constitutional process.
Governors would be permitted to issue lawful written directives concerning public safety and order within their states.
These directives must focus on general policy matters related to security and public order maintenance.
Lawmakers included safeguards intended to prevent misuse of state police powers by political office holders.
The bill expressly prohibits state police authorities from targeting individuals or groups solely for criticising government policies.
Political parties, activists, journalists and civil society groups were also protected
under the proposed legal framework.
Any police action against citizens must comply with existing laws and due process requirements.
The legislation further outlines circumstances under which the Federal Police Service may intervene in state security matters.
Federal intervention may occur when a state police command cannot contain a serious breakdown of public safety.
Such intervention may also happen when a governor formally requests assistance from federal authorities.
The President must provide written authorisation before any federal takeover of state police operations.
The authorisation must clearly state the reasons, affected areas, responsibilities and duration of the intervention.
Relevant authorities, including state assemblies and the National Assembly, must be notified within 48 hours.
Any intervention extending beyond the legally prescribed period will require Senate approval.
Supporters believe state policing would strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering and improve responses to security threats.
Advocates also argued that local police formations would better understand community-specific challenges and criminal activities.
Calls for decentralised policing have intensified amid persistent insecurity across several parts of the country.
Many Nigerians view state police as a practical solution to kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
Critics, however, fear governors could misuse state police formations for political purposes.
Concerns have also been raised about funding challenges and the possibility of heightened ethnic tensions.
Despite the debate, the bill represents one of the most significant security reform efforts in recent years.
The proposal now advances the broader constitutional amendment process as the country seeks new strategies to tackle insecurity.
