By Mercy Aikoye
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the push for the creation of state police services, forwarding a constitutional amendment bill to the House of Representatives aimed at providing legal backing for states to establish their own policing structures.
In a letter transmitted to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, the President requested legislative consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026.
Tinubu said the proposed amendment would provide a constitutional framework for the introduction of state police, describing it as a major step towards reforming Nigeria’s security system and improving the protection of citizens.
The President noted that the bill builds on previous efforts by the House of Representatives on the matter, while introducing safeguards to ensure that the proposed dual policing arrangement operates effectively and responsibly.
According to him, the move is part of his administration’s broader plan to restructure the nation’s security architecture in response to persistent threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal conflicts.
The President urged lawmakers to give the proposal urgent attention, expressing confidence that the National Assembly would support measures aimed at strengthening security across the country.
The renewed legislative move comes after years of calls from state governors, lawmakers, security experts and civil society groups advocating for state police as a solution to challenges facing the centralised policing system.
Under the proposed arrangement, states would be empowered to establish and manage their own police services while the Nigeria Police Force would continue to operate at the federal level.
The constitutional amendment must be passed by the National Assembly and approved by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.
