House of Representatives Passes Constitutional Amendment Bill on State Police
The House of Representatives has passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking one of the most significant proposed changes to the country’s security architecture since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
The approval followed a vote during plenary in which 289 lawmakers voted in support of the amendment, one member voted against it, while no abstentions were recorded. A total of 290 votes were cast.
Announcing the result, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, confirmed that the proposal secured the constitutional threshold required for passage. The House also postponed consideration of some other constitutional amendment proposals to a future legislative session.
If eventually approved through the remaining constitutional amendment processes, the legislation would fundamentally restructure policing in Nigeria by creating two constitutionally recognized police institutions: a Federal Police and individual State Police services established by state governments.
Under the proposed amendment, the Federal Police would continue to operate nationwide and remain responsible for federal policing functions, while states would be empowered to establish and operate their own police services through laws enacted by their respective State Houses of Assembly.
The proposal stipulates that no state police service would commence operations until it has been established by state law and certified as meeting national minimum standards prescribed by the National Assembly.
The amendment further provides that until a state police service becomes operational, the Federal Police will continue to perform all policing functions within that state.
One of the key provisions of the bill seeks to limit federal interference in state policing operations. Under the proposal, the Federal Police would only intervene in the affairs of a State Police under specific circumstances, including a complete breakdown of law and order, inability of a state police service to function effectively, or where intervention is formally requested by a state governor.
Such intervention would require prior approval from the National Police Council.
The proposed constitutional changes also outline distinct leadership structures for both police institutions. While the Federal Police would be headed by an Inspector-General of Police appointed by the President on the advice of the National Police Council and confirmed by the National Assembly, State Police services would be led by Commissioners of Police appointed by governors on the recommendation of the National Police Council and confirmed by State Houses of Assembly.
The bill introduces safeguards for the appointment and removal of senior police officers, requiring legislative approval and recommendations from the National Police Council before such actions can take effect.
To support state policing operations, the amendment also proposes federal grants and financial assistance to State Police services, subject to recommendations by the National Police Council and approval by the National Assembly.
The legislation further provides for the restructuring of the National Police Council, expanding its membership to include representatives of state governments, professional bodies, labour unions, traditional institutions, human rights organizations, and retired senior police officers.
In addition, every state would establish a State Police Service Commission responsible for recruitment, discipline, and administration of state police personnel below senior command levels.
The amendment grants both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly legislative powers over policing matters, with states permitted to establish higher standards than national minimum requirements but prohibited from operating below them.
The proposed reforms also include consequential amendments to several sections of the Constitution to replace references to the existing Nigeria Police Force with provisions reflecting the new Federal Police and State Police framework.
For years, advocates of state policing have argued that decentralizing law enforcement would improve local intelligence gathering, enhance community policing, and strengthen responses to insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal conflicts.
Opponents, however, have raised concerns about the potential misuse of state police by political officeholders and the possibility of human rights abuses if adequate oversight mechanisms are not maintained.
The passage of the amendment by the House of Representatives represents a significant step in the constitutional reform process. However, the proposal must still secure approval from the Senate and receive the endorsement of the required number of State Houses of Assembly before it can become part of the Constitution.
If ultimately adopted, the reforms could usher in a new era of decentralized policing and significantly reshape Nigeria’s approach to security management and law enforcement.
