Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State have welcomed the Senate’s approval of the Constitution Alteration Bill aimed at creating state police across the country, describing the move as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen security.
The two governors said the proposed reform would enhance community-based policing and provide states with greater capacity to tackle security challenges within their jurisdictions.
The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday after securing the support of more than two-thirds of lawmakers during plenary.
The legislation proposes a policing structure that would allow state police formations to operate alongside the existing federal police system as part of wider efforts to address insecurity through decentralisation.
Reacting to the development, Sanwo-Olu praised both the Senate and President Bola Tinubu for advancing a reform he described as long overdue.
In a post on his X handle, the Lagos governor wrote, “I commend the Senate for passing the constitutional amendment bill to establish state police across Nigeria.
This is a bold and necessary response to a long-standing national conversation on how we protect our communities.”
Sanwo-Olu also credited President Tinubu for consistently advocating the establishment of state police, noting that the reform reflects the President’s long-held position on restructuring the nation’s security framework.
“My appreciation also goes to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This reform is a direct result of his visionary leadership and commitment to restructuring our security architecture.
” He has championed this cause since his days as Governor of Lagos State, knowing that a safer Nigeria requires empowering authorities who actually know their terrain,” he said.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Tinubu Moves To Establish State Police, Sends Constitution Amendment Bill To Senate
According to the governor, the proposed state police system would enable Lagos to develop security strategies tailored to its specific needs and realities.
“For us in Lagos, our security needs are unique, dynamic and constantly evolving. We know our streets and our neighborhoods better than anyone else.
This progress finally gives us the opportunity to build a system that is fully responsive to our local realities.
There is still work to be done but this is major progress toward a safer Nigeria,” he stated.
Abiodun also expressed support for the Senate’s action and commended Tinubu for sponsoring the Executive Bill that led to the constitutional amendment.
In a post on X, the Ogun governor wrote, “We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his visionary leadership in presenting the Executive Bill on State Police, which has now been passed by the Senate.
“The passage of this landmark legislation marks a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by bringing policing closer to the people and empowering states to play a more active role in maintaining law and order.”
Abiodun said he believes the introduction of state police would boost intelligence gathering, strengthen community safety and contribute to national development.
“We also applaud the Senate for its support of this historic reform and remain confident that State Police will enhance community security, improve intelligence gathering, and contribute to a safer and more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
The bill represents one of the most significant security reforms in recent years and seeks to establish a state policing framework designed to complement the operations of the federal police in addressing the country’s security challenges.