State Rep. Bill on Police Funding Passes as Constitutional Amendment Gains Traction

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives approved a landmark constitutional amendment bill on Thursday that would create state police forces across Nigeria, a move that could reshape the country’s security landscape.

Referred to as “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” the proposal was passed during a Committee of the Whole session chaired by Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

The vote began after Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, presented the report and sought support from legislators, emphasizing the need for a decentralised policing system to better address Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

Members voted manually, raising their hands to indicate their positions. The result was 289 votes in favour, one abstention, and no votes against, demonstrating broad bipartisan support for the reform.

The amendment would overhaul Nigeria’s policing structure by establishing both Federal and State Police formations. Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution would be amended to formally create the Federal Police and the State Police, giving the National Assembly authority to prescribe their structure, organisation, administration and powers, as well as the legal framework and minimum standards for state police services.

State police forces would be required to be established by law enacted by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as meeting national minimum standards set by an Act of the National Assembly. Until a state police force becomes operational, the Federal Police would retain policing powers within that state.

To protect state police autonomy, the bill limits federal intervention in state internal security affairs. Federal Police may intervene only where law and order breaks down completely, upon a governor’s request, or if a state police force is unable to function due to administrative, financial or other operational difficulties.

The amendment also revises the appointment and command structure of the police. Under the new Section 215, the Inspector‑General of Police would be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving Federal Police officers, subject to National Assembly confirmation. Similarly, a State Commissioner of Police would be appointed by a governor on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving State Police officers, subject to confirmation by the respective State House of Assembly.

Governors would be able to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on public safety and law‑and‑order matters. If a commissioner deems a directive unlawful or inconsistent with accepted policing standards, the matter would be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision would be final.

The bill also amends Section 84 of the Constitution, replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”

Passing the bill marks one of the most significant security reforms since the return to democratic rule in 1999 and is expected to spark nationwide debate on funding, accountability, operational control and safeguards against abuse.

Following House approval, the constitutional amendment will move to the Senate for concurrence. It must then obtain endorsement from at least two‑thirds of the State Houses of Assembly and receive presidential assent before it can become part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

If enacted, the legislation would introduce a multi‑layered policing system, potentially redefining Nigeria’s approach to tackling banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes through a more localised security architecture.

Vanguard News

The post Breaking: Reps pass state police bill as constitution amendment gains momentum appeared first on Vanguard News.