House of Representatives Passes State Police Bill to Advance Security Decentralisation
House of Representatives Passes State Police Bill to Advance Security Decentralisation
The House of Representatives has passed the long-awaited State Police Bill, marking a significant step toward the decentralisation of policing and security administration in Nigeria. The legislation is expected to strengthen community policing and improve the country’s response to rising security challenges.
The bill, which received the support of lawmakers during plenary, seeks to amend relevant provisions of the Constitution to allow individual states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force. Proponents of the legislation argue that state policing will enhance intelligence gathering, improve response times and address local security threats more effectively.
Supporters also believe the creation of state police will help tackle banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes by giving state governments greater responsibility for maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions. They maintain that decentralised policing is necessary to meet Nigeria’s growing security demands.
Despite its passage by the House of Representatives, the proposed constitutional amendment must still secure approval from the Senate and be endorsed by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can become law. The President’s assent will also be required after the constitutional process is completed.
The passage of the bill represents one of the most significant security reforms considered by the National Assembly in recent years. It follows sustained calls from governors, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and security experts for a policing structure that reflects Nigeria’s federal system and addresses the country’s evolving security realities.
If eventually enacted, the State Police Bill is expected to reshape Nigeria’s security architecture by empowering states to complement federal policing efforts while improving public safety and crime prevention across the country.
