From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate, yesterday, commenced consideration of a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, with lawmakers arguing that decentralising policing would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve emergency response and address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Leading debate on the bill, which passed second reading, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, described the proposal as one of the most significant security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
He said the measure seeks to address what he termed the limitations of the country’s centralised policing structure in responding effectively to terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, communal clashes, armed robbery and other emerging security threats.
“This constitutional amendment is one of the most significant security reforms contemplated since the return of democratic governance in 1999,” Bamidele said.
“It addresses a fundamental challenge confronting our nation: the inability of a centralised policing structure to adequately respond to the complex, evolving and localised security threats facing our communities.”
The Senate Leader noted that Nigeria’s current policing framework, established under Section 214 of the Constitution, provides for a single police force for the federation, a system he said had become overstretched and unable to meet the security demands of a population exceeding 230 million people.
According to him, state police would improve intelligence gathering because officers drawn from local communities would better understand local languages, customs and social structures.
“Modern policing relies heavily on intelligence rather than force. State police will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence architecture,” he said.
He also argued that state police formations would facilitate quicker responses to security threats by eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with the centralised command structure.
He added that the initiative would promote community policing, strengthen public trust in law enforcement agencies and allow the federal police to concentrate on interstate crimes, terrorism, cybercrime, border security and the protection of national assets.
He further maintained that the proposal aligns with the federalist principles and reflects practices in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany, where federal and sub-national police institutions operate side by side.
Addressing concerns over possible abuse of state police by governors, Bamidele said the bill contains safeguards, including the establishment of State Police Service Commissions, constitutional oversight mechanisms, legislative confirmation of senior appointments, operational guidelines and federal intervention provisions in cases of breakdown of law and order.
“These safeguards ensure that state police operate professionally, responsibly and in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.
He also argued that improved security would boost investor confidence, protect agricultural production, safeguard critical infrastructure and stimulate economic growth across the country.
“The establishment of state police is not merely a constitutional reform; it is a national security imperative. It is a necessary step toward building a safer, stronger, more secure and more prosperous Nigeria,” he stated.
It was referred to the Senate’s ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin for further legislative consideration.
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