Historic Shift: Senate Approves State Police, Reshapes Nigeria’s Security Architecture

In a landmark move set to redefine Nigeria’s security framework, the Senate on Thursday passed a constitutional amendment bill establishing state police services across the 36 states of the federation.

The development marks a major departure from the country’s long-standing centralized policing structure, paving the way for a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

The bill, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, was passed after a dramatic session in the Senate chamber, where lawmakers resorted to a manual voting process following a prolonged failure of the electronic voting system.

The technical glitch, which lasted more than 30 minutes, forced all 88 senators present to vote through a show of hands after a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.

The constitutional amendment, titled the Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026 (SB. 1055), contains extensive safeguards aimed at preventing the abuse of state police by governors and other political actors.

Under the new framework, no state can establish an operational police service without first enacting enabling legislation through its House of Assembly and obtaining certification from the National Assembly that it meets prescribed national minimum standards.

While state police services will be responsible for maintaining internal security and public safety within their respective states, the Federal Police Service will retain exclusive control over national security matters, including terrorism, cybercrime, arms trafficking, organized crime, and the policing of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and federal institutions.

The legislation also prohibits state police formations from operating beyond their territorial boundaries except as authorized by an Act of the National Assembly.

One of the key provisions of the bill empowers the President to assume temporary operational control of any state police service under exceptional circumstances. Such intervention may occur where public order has collapsed, where a state police service is unable to function effectively, or where there is evidence of human rights violations, political intimidation, or ethnic and religious persecution.

To prevent abuse of federal powers, any intervention must be authorized in writing by the President, clearly stating the reasons, affected area, and duration. The President is also required to notify the state governor, State House of Assembly, National Police Council, and National Assembly within 48 hours.

Furthermore, any federal takeover remains subject to legislative approval and judicial review.

The historic debate attracted top government officials and political leaders, including Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and several state Attorneys-General.

Leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele argued that Nigeria’s current centralized policing structure has become overstretched and ineffective in addressing growing security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.

According to him, state police will enhance intelligence gathering, improve response times, and strengthen community-based security management in line with the principles of federalism.

The bill also introduces measures designed to shield police leadership from political interference. The Federal Police Service will be headed by an Inspector-General of Police appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to Senate confirmation.

Similarly, each State Police Service will be led by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the National Police Council and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.

The legislation stipulates that neither the Inspector-General nor state Commissioners of Police can be removed arbitrarily. Any removal must be based on stated misconduct or other lawful grounds and approved by a two-thirds majority of the relevant legislative body.

In addition, the amendment expressly prohibits political authorities from directing police agencies to target individuals, political parties, associations, or groups for partisan, ethnic, religious, or personal reasons.

With the Senate’s approval, the bill represents one of the most significant constitutional reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and could fundamentally alter the country’s approach to policing and internal security.