Senate Passes State Police Bill, Advances Push For Decentralised Security System

Senate Passes State Police Bill, Advances Push for Decentralised Security System The Senate has passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration State Police Bill, 2026, marking a significant step toward the establishment of state police services as part of efforts to reform the country’s security architecture and address growing insecurity. The legislation seeks to decentralise policing while retaining substantial federal oversight powers.

The bill, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was fast-tracked through the Senate following recommendations from the Committee on Constitution Review. It proposes the creation of State Police Services that would operate alongside a restructured Federal Police Service, replacing the current centrally controlled policing framework. Under the proposed amendment, each of Nigeria’s 36 states would be empowered to establish and operate its own police service, subject to the passage of enabling laws by state Houses of Assembly and compliance with national standards prescribed by the National Assembly. Supporters argue that the reform will improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing, and enable quicker responses to security threats at the grassroots level. Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposal as one of the most consequential constitutional reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history. He said the measure was designed to strengthen, rather than weaken, the nation’s security framework by distributing policing responsibilities across different levels of government.

A key feature of the legislation is the retention of extensive federal oversight mechanisms aimed at preventing abuse of state police powers. The proposed law grants the Federal Police Service authority to intervene in state security matters under specific circumstances, including threats to national security, serious human rights violations, electoral intimidation, a breakdown of public order, or situations where a state police service becomes unable to function effectively. The bill further provides that any federal intervention would require presidential authorisation and be subject to Senate oversight and judicial review. It also empowers the Federal Police Service to assume temporary operational control of a state police service when necessary, ensuring accountability and national security coordination.To address longstanding concerns that governors could misuse state police against political opponents, lawmakers included safeguards such as State Police Service Commissions, uniform national policing standards, legislative confirmation of senior appointments, complaints procedures, and restrictions on politically motivated deployments. The legislation also outlines the appointment structure for state police leadership. Under its provisions, governors would appoint State Commissioners of Police, subject to confirmation by their respective state legislatures. However, commissioners would be prohibited from using police powers against individuals, groups, or political parties solely for criticising government actions.Supporters of the bill say the reform has become necessary due to escalating security challenges across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, and organised crime. They argue that Nigeria’s highly centralised policing model has struggled to effectively respond to diverse security threats across different regions. Despite broad support, some critics have warned that state police forces could be vulnerable to political interference and uneven funding across states. Others have raised concerns about coordination between federal and state security agencies. Proponents maintain that the safeguards embedded in the bill are sufficient to prevent abuse while enhancing local security responses. The bill must still secure approval from at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s state Houses of Assembly before it can become part of the Constitution and receive presidential assent. If enacted, it would represent one of the most far-reaching security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.