Aniefiok Christopher
Nigerian House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking the establishment of state police, following a decisive voice vote during Thursday’s plenary.
The proposal, considered under HB 617, is part of the ongoing Constitution alteration process aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture in response to rising insecurity across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The session, presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, commenced with over 290 lawmakers in attendance.
The House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, thereafter (APC, Edo), moved a motion for the House to suspend its rules to enable consideration of a motion on the rescission of an earlier decision relating to the presentation of reports by the Committee on Constitution Review.
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The motion, seconded by the Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa), was adopted.
According to Abbas, 288 lawmakers voted in support of the bill, while four were against it, a day after the lawmakers dedicated Thursday to debating the bill.
The lawmakers voted on the bill by a show of hands as the speaker explained that the electronic voting system is not functional.
The bill seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by creating an additional layer of policing while providing constitutional safeguards, clearly defined operational frameworks, oversight mechanisms, and delineation of powers between federal and state policing authorities.
Earlier, the House of Representatives had released the final print of the Constitution Alteration Bills seeking to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police, among others.
Mr Tajudeen explained that the House would prioritise only the security-related amendment at this stage, describing it as urgent and necessary.
He said the decision was also influenced by the need to avoid further delay, noting that members would proceed on a two-week end-of-year recess afterwards to enable proper review of remaining bills upon resumption.
The speaker announced that the electronic voting system was not functional, compelling lawmakers to adopt a manual voice vote.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, who doubles as the chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, in his presentation, described the bill as a response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
He said the proposed reform was designed to decentralise policing and improve response time to security incidents by allowing states to establish their own police structures.
He argued that a centralised policing system, with command structures concentrated in Abuja, had slowed response times to emergencies. According to him, state police would enable officers who are familiar with local languages, geography and communities to respond more effectively to threats.
He urged lawmakers to treat the bill as a legacy reform that would strengthen national security beyond military intervention, stressing that it reflected a broad national consensus.
The speaker later ruled that the House would not consider the bill clause by clause but by its long title. He then read out the title, after which a manual count was conducted.
At the end of the voting process, 289 members supported the motion while four voted against it, effectively clearing the proposal for further legislative progression within the constitutional amendment process.
Under the proposed amendment to Section 215, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the Federal Police, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Similarly, a State Commissioner of Police would be appointed by a state governor on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the State Police, subject to confirmation by the respective State House of Assembly.
The bill also empowers governors to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and maintenance of law and order. However, where a commissioner considers such directives unlawful or inconsistent with established policing standards, the matter shall be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision shall be final.
The proposal amends Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”
It, thereafter, adjourned sittings until 7 July to allow members to proceed on their end-of-legislative-year break and return to their constituencies.
The adjournment, according to Mr Tajudeen, is also to give lawmakers time to study the constitution amendment bills scheduled for consideration upon resumption.
With the House’s approval secured, the bill now moves to the Senate for concurrence. If approved by the upper chamber, it will be transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly, where it must be endorsed by at least two-thirds of the states of the federation.
To go into effect, the Senate, as well as two-thirds of Nigeria’s state-level houses of assembly, must also approve the measure, which would amend the constitution.
After securing state-level approval, the amendment will then be forwarded to the president for assent before it can become law.
Rep Idem Gives State Police teeth
Before Thursday’s passage of the bill into law, Dr. Unyime Idem had leaked to his constituents of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency his participation in a strategic meeting involving the leadership of the House of Representatives and leaders of the caucuses of the 36 states of the federation.
‘‘Following careful consideration of the merits of the bill and its potential impact on national security, a collective decision was reached to support the legislation when it comes up for voting at the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
As your representative in the National Assembly and Leader of Akwa Ibom Caucus in the House of Representatives, I wish to inform you that I will be voting in support of the State Police Bill on behalf of the good people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency,’’ Idem stated.
The proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by creating an additional layer of policing that is closer to the people and better positioned to respond to local security challenges.
When passed by the National Assembly, assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and implemented, the State Police framework is expected to deliver several benefits, including:
– Enhanced intelligence gathering through closer interaction with local communities;
– Faster response to security threats and emergencies within states;
– Improved protection of lives and property through community-based policing;
– Better understanding of local languages, cultures, and terrains by security personnel;
– Reduced burden on federal security agencies, enabling greater efficiency;
– Stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local security structures in combating crime, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity.
‘‘For us in Akwa Ibom State and particularly in Ukanafun and Oruk Anam, this initiative presents an opportunity to further strengthen security, safeguard our communities, and create a more conducive environment for economic growth, agriculture, commerce, education, and other productive activities.
‘‘I want to assure the people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency that my support for this bill is guided solely by the overriding public interest and my commitment to the security, welfare, and prosperity of our people. I am convinced that the proposal is being pursued in good faith and, when implemented, will serve the best interests of our constituency, Akwa Ibom State, and Nigeria as a whole.
‘‘As always, I remain committed to taking only those legislative decisions that advance the well-being of our people, I shall continue to provide effective representation, champion policies that promote development, and attract life-touching dividends of democracy to every part of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency,’’ Idem announced.
The Leader of Akwa Ibom Caucus in the House of Representatives thanked his constituents for their continued support, trust, and prayers to him.
