The House of Representatives has passed the State Police Bill, clearing a major hurdle toward a decentralised policing system that would allow states to run their own police structures.
The bill scaled through Thursday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. A total of 289 lawmakers voted in support, with just one dissenting vote. The Speaker did not vote.
The vote came amid growing public alarm over killings, kidnappings, and bandit attacks that have surged across several regions in recent months.
But the process drew protests from some members. Kaduna lawmaker Bashir Zubairu objected before voting, saying lawmakers got the Constitution Review Committee report only in the chambers and had no time to study it.
“Mr Speaker, this document was only made available to lawmakers in the chambers, and we are yet to go through it. We cannot do justice to it because we have not gone through it,” Zubairu said.
Several members raised “Point of Order” to halt proceedings, but Speaker Abbas ruled the session should continue.
The House electronic voting system reportedly malfunctioned, so voting was done by a headcount of members present. Of the 290 lawmakers in attendance, 289 backed the bill, signaling overwhelming support despite the procedural complaints.
The passage is a landmark moment in Nigeria’s long-running debate on policing. Proponents argue state police will improve response times and local intelligence. Critics fear political misuse by state governors.
The bill will now move to the Senate. If both chambers pass it and it gets presidential assent, states can begin setting up their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
For many Nigerians frustrated by insecurity, the House vote brings the idea of state-controlled policing closer to reality.
