24.6.2026
The Constitution Amendment Bill on State Police passed its second reading during the Senate plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the suspension of Senate rules to accelerate consideration of the executive bill seeking constitutional backing for state police services.
Leading the debate on the bill, Mr Bamidele said it aims to establish state police while retaining a strong federal police structure, national standards, accountability mechanisms, and safeguards against abuse.
According to him, the bill provides for independent state police service commissions, national minimum policing standards, federal intervention in exceptional circumstances, and the protection of fundamental rights.
He said state police would improve community policing, strengthen intelligence gathering, and enhance response to security threats.
Contributing to the debate, Enyinnaya Abaribe said Nigeria’s worsening security situation required innovative solutions, adding that adequate safeguards must prevent political interference and abuse.
Mr Abaribe stressed the need for constitutional guarantees on funding and oversight to ensure state police institutions remained professional, accountable, and independent of undue influence.
Former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal supported the bill, describing state police as a critical step toward deepening federalism and addressing the persistent security challenges.
Mr Tambuwal, however, urged lawmakers to incorporate strong safeguards to prevent future abuse by state authorities and protect citizens’ rights under the proposed framework. NAN
