The Senate on Wednesday passed a constitutional alteration bill to establish State Police across Nigeria, describing it as a key move to address insecurity and strengthen federalism.
The 25-clause bill creates a legal framework for State Police Services and builds in safeguards to prevent abuse by governors and other political actors.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who led debate on the bill, said it was crafted to address concerns that governors could use state-controlled police to target opponents, silence dissent, or suppress rival parties.
The bill expressly bars any governor from directing a State Police Service to unlawfully go after individuals, political parties, groups, or associations. It also prohibits the use of police powers for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional, or personal interests.
Federal Intervention Mechanism
The bill sets out conditions for federal intervention in exceptional cases. The Federal Government may step in where there is a breakdown of public order, where a State Police Service can no longer function, where there are serious abuses of fundamental rights, cases of partisan or electoral intimidation, or threats to national security.
Any intervention must be authorized in writing by the President. The authorization must state the grounds, territory, functions, and duration. Notice must be sent within 48 hours to the state governor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, National Police Council, and the National Assembly.
National Standards, Dual System
The National Assembly would set minimum national standards for both federal and state police. The standards cover recruitment, training, vetting, promotion, discipline, use of force, and handling of firearms.
Under the amendment, the existing provision for only the Nigeria Police Force would be replaced with a dual system: a Federal Police Service for the federation and a State Police Service for any state that enacts legislation to create one.
The Senate stressed that State Police will not be automatic. A state must pass its own law establishing the service, and the force must be certified as meeting National Assembly-prescribed minimum standards.
Federal Police Role
The bill defines duties of the Federal Police Service to include protection of federal institutions, policing the Federal Capital Territory, counter-terrorism, organised crime investigations, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, inter-state criminal activity, and other national security matters.
Lawmakers said the change should boost community policing, speed up response to local threats, and reduce pressure on federal agencies so they can focus on terrorism, organised criminal networks, and cross-border crimes.
Next Steps
The bill passed clause by clause in the Senate after being sent by President Bola Tinubu. It now goes to a conference committee for harmonisation with the House of Representatives where versions differ.
After harmonisation, the bill will be transmitted to State Houses of Assembly for concurrence, as required for constitutional amendments.
