The Nigerian Senate has advanced the push for the establishment of state police by passing the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, a landmark constitutional amendment aimed at decentralizing policing and strengthening the country’s security architecture.
The bill, transmitted to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, was passed on Wednesday after receiving expedited legislative consideration, continuing a trend of swift passage for executive-sponsored bills under the current administration.
Beyond empowering states to establish and manage their own police services, the proposed legislation also seeks to replace the Nigeria Police Force with a restructured Federal Police Service. While granting states constitutional authority over their policing systems, the bill preserves significant emergency intervention powers for the Federal Government.
Under Section 214 of the proposed amendment, the Federal Police Service would be authorized to intervene in a state’s internal security operations in situations involving an actual or imminent breakdown of public order, failure of a state police service, threats to national security, or evidence of serious human rights violations, partisan intimidation, or unlawful conduct by state policing authorities.
The legislation further provides that the Federal Police Service may temporarily assume operational control of a state police service, subject to presidential approval, Senate oversight, and judicial review.
Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposal as one of the most significant constitutional reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history. He said the measure is designed to address the shortcomings of the country’s centralized policing structure amid rising insecurity, complex geographical realities, and diverse socio-cultural challenges.
The move follows President Tinubu’s September 2, 2025 pledge to establish a State Police Service and strengthen the Forest Guard system as part of efforts to combat insecurity nationwide. The President had argued that localized security outfits would possess better knowledge of their environments and communities, making them more effective in addressing security threats.
The Senate’s approval has generated widespread public debate, with experts and political stakeholders sharply divided over the proposal.
Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, criticized the timing of the legislation, describing it as a political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections rather than a genuine solution to insecurity.
According to Dalung, although state police is a desirable concept, the current proposal could worsen the nation’s security situation by enabling governors to intimidate political opponents through state-controlled security agencies. He argued that the existing security framework has failed to protect citizens despite significant government spending and maintained that empowering ordinary Nigerians to defend themselves would be a more effective response to rising insecurity.
In contrast, Abuja-based political analyst Jide Ojo welcomed the development, describing state policing as long overdue. He noted that Nigeria remains the only federal system among major federations operating a centralized police structure.
Ojo argued that multiple policing systems are standard practice in countries such as Canada, Australia, and Germany, adding that constitutional safeguards contained in the bill would help prevent abuse. He also stressed that increasing the number of law enforcement personnel through state police would significantly improve security across the country.
The analyst further observed that states with sufficient financial capacity could establish their own police services while others would not be compelled to do so. He also noted that the existing Forest Guard initiative and other federal security agencies would continue to complement state policing efforts.
Similarly, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, endorsed the proposal, citing Nigeria’s severe shortage of police personnel. He maintained that a decentralized policing system would enhance security, particularly given the country’s population of over 200 million people and the limited number of police officers currently available.
However, human rights lawyer Femi Falana urged caution, arguing that state police alone would not resolve the country’s security crisis unless accompanied by broader socio-economic reforms.
Speaking during a television interview, Falana emphasized the need for government to address unemployment, poverty, and social welfare, insisting that insecurity cannot be solved solely through the creation of additional policing structures.
He argued that meaningful security reforms must be holistic, combining expanded law enforcement with economic opportunities and social support for vulnerable Nigerians.
As debate over the proposed constitutional amendment continues, the State Police Bill is expected to remain one of the most closely watched legislative reforms as Nigeria seeks lasting solutions to its persistent security challenges.
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