The Senate has approved far-reaching safeguards designed to prevent governors from turning the proposed state police structure into tools for political, ethnic, religious or personal interests.
The measures form part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, recently passed by the Upper Chamber.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who led debate on the bill, said the amendment seeks to establish a decentralized policing system while preserving national unity, accountability and federal oversight.
States To Get Police Powers
According to Bamidele, the bill, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, provides for the creation of state police services alongside the existing federal police structure.
He explained that the National Assembly would set minimum standards for recruitment, training, promotions, discipline, use of force, firearms management, complaints procedures, accountability and professional conduct.
Under the proposal, states that choose to establish police services would be empowered to enforce state laws, maintain public order, prevent and detect crimes, and protect lives and property within their jurisdictions.
Federal Police Retain National Security Role
While state police would handle local security matters, the federal police would continue to oversee national responsibilities, including counter-terrorism operations, organized crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking and interstate criminal activities.
Bamidele said the arrangement was designed to strengthen local policing without weakening the country’s overall security architecture.
Strict Conditions for Federal Intervention
The Senate Leader said the bill clearly defines situations where the federal government can intervene in the operations of a state police service.
Such intervention would only be allowed in cases of public order breakdown, operational failure of a state police service, serious human rights violations, electoral intimidation or threats to national security.
He explained that any intervention must be approved in writing by the President, limited in duration and scope, subject to Senate oversight and open to judicial review.
“The bill provides robust safeguards against abuse, preserves federal authority where necessary, protects constitutional rights and creates a modern policing framework capable of addressing contemporary security challenges,” Bamidele said.
He added that the proposal strikes a balance between local policing autonomy and national cohesion, while ensuring accountability and operational effectiveness.
Major Milestone in Security Reform
The Senate’s approval marks a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over state policing.
Supporters believe the move will bring security closer to the people, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the fight against crime, while the newly approved safeguards are expected to address fears of political abuse by state governments.
Tags: State Police, Nigerian Senate, Bola Tinubu, Opeyemi Bamidele, Security Reform.
