President Bola Tinubu has formally forwarded a constitutional amendment bill to the Senate seeking the creation of state police, a move seen as a significant step toward restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.
The proposal, conveyed in a letter dated June 15, 2026, was presented during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to the President, the bill aims to establish a constitutional basis for a dual policing system that would allow state governments to create and manage their own police formations while the federal police continue to operate nationwide.
Tinubu described the initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen security across the country by bringing law enforcement closer to local communities and improving the protection of lives and property.
Under the proposed arrangement, states, local governments and communities would be given greater responsibilities in maintaining security, with local authorities expected to play a more active role in intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
Following its presentation, the Senate referred the bill to its Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative scrutiny, directing the panel to submit its report on Wednesday.
Speaking on the proposal, Akpabio stressed the importance of community-based policing, arguing that local authorities are often better positioned to detect unusual movements and emerging threats within their environments.
He noted that enhanced collaboration between grassroots communities and security agencies could help authorities respond proactively to security challenges rather than waiting until incidents occur.
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The Senate President also disclosed that the implementation of the state police framework would be carried out in stages through constitutional amendments and supporting legislation to ensure adequate safeguards are put in place.
“We will do it in phases through constitutional alteration and an Act of Parliament,” Akpabio told lawmakers, adding that protective measures would be incorporated to prevent abuse and ensure effective oversight.
He urged senators to attend the next sitting, emphasizing that constitutional amendments require the support of at least two-thirds of lawmakers.
According to him, the issue of state policing transcends political affiliations, regional interests and party lines, making it a national concern that requires broad consensus.
The latest development comes just weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading. Akpabio explained that the new constitutional amendment bill transmitted by the President is intended to provide the legal foundation necessary for the eventual establishment and operation of state police forces across the federation.