Nigeria's Senate pushes constitutional amendment to establish state police

The Nigerian Senate is advancing a constitutional amendment to create a state police force. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the bill will be considered this week and, if passed, will be sent to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for approval by a two‑thirds majority before presidential assent. President Bola Tinubu and all state governors have expressed support, and the proposal is being treated as a separate, urgent bill apart from broader constitutional reforms.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila confirmed that months of consultations with the executive, security agencies and lawmakers have produced a final draft of the amendment, with an enabling law to follow. Advocates argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence, response times and address rising insecurity such as banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, while critics warn of potential abuse by state authorities.