A MAJOR step in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle insecurity is expected to be taken Thursday (today) at the National Assembly as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police across the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the bill is also scheduled for second reading on the floor of the Senate, marking what could become one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture since the return to democratic rule.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who is also Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review and lead sponsor of the bill, disclosed yesterday that an amendment to Section 214 of the Constitution would be presented for consideration and voting by lawmakers.
Ahead of the proceedings, all members of the House currently on oversight assignments were directed to return to Abuja to participate in the debate and vote.
A source in the Senate also confirmed that the state police bill, alongside several other proposed constitutional amendment bills, had already passed first reading and was listed for second reading today.
The move follows comments by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele on Monday that the bill would be passed this week due to the urgent need to address the worsening security challenges confronting the country.
Under the current provisions of the Constitution, policing remains on the Exclusive Legislative List, making it solely the responsibility of the Federal Government.
However, the proposed amendment seeks to transfer policing to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby empowering states to establish and operate their own police formations.
Apart from Kalu, the bill is co-sponsored by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Fatima Talba, Blessing Onuh, Tolani Shagaya and 10 other lawmakers.
According to the draft amendment, new definitions are being introduced into Section 318 of the Constitution to provide legal recognition and backing for both state police and community policing.
The proposal defines state police as “a law enforcement agency established to operate specifically at the state level to maintain law and order within its jurisdiction.”
It also offers a detailed framework for community policing, describing it as “a policing approach in which law enforcement personnel work in close partnership with residents, community institutions and local stakeholders to prevent crime, maintain public safety and resolve security concerns through collaboration, problem-solving, trust-building and regular engagement with the community.”
Clause 2 of the proposed amendment seeks to replace the existing Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution with a new provision establishing:
Federal Police, to be known as the Nigeria Police; and
State Police formations.
The amendment further provides that the Nigeria Police, State Police and Community Police established under the section shall be organised and administered according to laws enacted by the National Assembly.
It also states that members of the Nigeria Police shall exercise powers and perform duties as may be prescribed by law.
Should the bill secure approval in both chambers of the National Assembly, it will be transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for ratification.
Under constitutional requirements, amendments must receive approval from at least two-thirds of state legislatures before being forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
Following ratification, the framework governing the new policing structure—including staffing, funding, operational responsibilities and coordination between federal and state police formations—is expected to be clearly defined.
The legislative push comes shortly after a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa last week to finalise the framework for state police.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Speaking ahead of today’s proceedings, Kalu stressed that addressing insecurity is not solely the responsibility of the executive arm of government.
“When we say that the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government, does that responsibility rest only on the executive? The answer is no,” he said.
“While we call the executive to order as Parliament under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, we must also ask ourselves whether we have fulfilled our legislative responsibilities.
“The House of Representatives has always been seen as a solution hub where the nation’s problems are brought for legislative solutions.
“That is why we decided to prioritise the issue of security and improve response time through constitutional amendments targeted at policing.”
Kalu said there was now broad national consensus supporting the creation of state police.
“As it is today, there is a structure that has been agreed upon by the Inspector-General of Police and his team.
“There is a national consensus on it. The executive has bought into it, and the governors have bought into it.
“These lawmakers have worked hard to amend the Constitution and prioritise state police, especially now that we are confronted with serious security challenges across the country.
“We are here to announce to Nigerians that hope is coming. The hope of having a better response time to incidents of crime is here.
“We have decided to vote on the Constitution and prioritise state police.
“This is us telling our constituents across the nation that their representatives are united on this mission,” he said.