A key provision of the bill empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.
With its passage, the legislation replaces the existing Nigeria Police Force framework with a dual structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
The bill was considered after Senate Leader Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele presented its general principles. It subsequently scaled second reading, was considered clause-by-clause and passed third reading.
The passage followed a rigorous clause-by-clause consideration of the bill and came after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.
A key provision of the bill empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.
According to the president, the bill is designed to provide a legal framework for a dual policing structure, allowing states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the federal police.
He said the proposed amendment is a critical component of ongoing efforts to reorganise the country’s policing system, enhance security and better protect citizens. He added that communities, municipalities and local government areas would play more active roles in policing responsibilities under the new arrangement.
The development advances the Federal Government’s efforts to create a workable framework for state police, a proposal many Nigerians have advocated as a way to improve internal security, strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering and enhance the capacity of state governments to respond to emerging threats.
Nigeria’s policing system is currently controlled by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force. However, worsening security challenges have intensified calls for a decentralised policing structure.
President Tinubu had earlier described state police as unavoidable in addressing insecurity and urged lawmakers to fast-track related bills.
Supporters argue that state police would improve local intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security and enable faster responses to crime and emergencies.
Critics, however, have raised concerns over possible political interference by state governors, funding constraints and the risk of worsening ethnic or communal tensions.
The renewed push for state police comes amid growing concerns over insecurity and mass kidnappings in parts of the country.
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