Nigeria’s move towards decentralised policing has gained fresh momentum, with 33 of the country’s 36 state Houses of Assembly reportedly approving the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police
The development marks a major step in ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture amid persistent challenges involving kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
The latest approvals include Lagos, Kano, Sokoto and Borno, alongside other states that have endorsed the proposed amendment. The Kano State House of Assembly’s approval on Tuesday, October 27, brought the reported total to 33 states, leaving only Niger, Bauchi and Katsina yet to endorse the proposal, according to reports published on October 28.
The growing support represents a significant development in the debate over whether states should have their own police services to complement the existing Nigeria Police Force.
Constitutional Amendment Gains Wider Support
The proposed state police arrangement is part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The National Assembly transmitted the proposed constitutional amendment to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval after the bill passed through the federal legislative process.
Under Section 9(2) of the Constitution, constitutional amendments generally require approval by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly, alongside the prescribed approval by the National Assembly.
With 33 state legislatures reportedly backing the proposal, the state-level approval threshold of 24 states has been exceeded.
However, the reported endorsements do not automatically establish state police. The remaining constitutional procedures and the necessary legal framework must be completed before the proposed system can become operational.
Why State Police Is Being Proposed
Supporters of state police argue that decentralising policing could improve security by bringing law enforcement closer to the communities it serves.
They believe state police officers could develop a better understanding of local security threats, improve intelligence gathering and respond more quickly to emergencies.
The proposal is also expected to give state governments a more direct role in addressing security challenges within their territories, rather than relying entirely on the existing federal policing structure.
Nigeria continues to face different security threats across its geopolitical zones, ranging from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes. Advocates of the reform argue that a more locally responsive policing system could help address these challenges.
Concerns Over Funding and Political Interference
Despite the growing support, the proposed reform has also raised concerns about how state police would be funded, managed and held accountable.
One major question is whether all states possess the financial capacity to recruit, train, equip and maintain an effective police service.
There are also concerns that governors or other powerful political figures could attempt to influence state police operations for political purposes, including targeting opponents or critics.
To address these concerns, the proposed framework will need clear provisions on recruitment, professional standards, operational independence, discipline, public complaints and independent oversight.
Coordination between state police services and the federal police will also be important, particularly in cases involving interstate crime, organised criminal networks and threats to national security.
Three States Yet to Endorse the Bill
According to reports published on October 28, Niger, Bauchi and Katsina were the three states yet to approve the proposed constitutional amendment.
Their positions leave the country close to a broad legislative consensus on the proposal, although the reasons for their outstanding decisions would need to be established from official statements by the respective assemblies.
The inclusion of states from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones indicates that support for the proposed reform extends across different parts of the country.
What Happens Next?
The next stage involves completing the constitutional amendment process and finalising the legal framework that would govern the establishment and operation of state police.
The Presidency has also been involved in developing a proposed National Policing Bill and related amendments intended to provide an implementation framework for the country’s policing system.
The success of the reform will depend not only on legislative approval but also on the strength of its legal safeguards, the availability of funding, professional training and effective accountability mechanisms.
For Nigerians, the central question remains whether the proposed changes will translate into improved security, faster responses to emergencies and stronger protection for lives and property.
As 33 state assemblies reportedly endorse the proposal, attention now turns to the completion of the constitutional process and the safeguards that will determine how state police operate across the country.
