Nigeria’s security structure could be set for a major change. President Bola Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to consider a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for state police across the country.
ABUJA, FCT — President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the National Assembly seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of state police in Nigeria. According to the proposed legislation, the amendment aims to decentralise policing by allowing states to establish and operate their own police services alongside existing federal security institutions. The bill is expected to undergo legislative consideration before any constitutional changes can take effect.
Why This Happened
The proposed amendment comes amid ongoing national discussions on improving security and strengthening law enforcement across the country. Supporters of state policing have argued that allowing states to establish their own police services could improve local intelligence gathering and enhance responses to security challenges.
According to the bill transmitted to the National Assembly, the proposed changes would provide the constitutional backing required for states to establish and regulate their police formations, subject to the provisions of the amended Constitution.
What They Said
The Presidency said the proposed legislation seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to accommodate the creation of state police across Nigeria.
If approved by the National Assembly and ratified through the constitutional amendment process, the changes would introduce a new policing framework defining the powers, responsibilities and relationship between federal and state law enforcement agencies.
Background to the Story
Calls for state police have featured prominently in Nigeria’s constitutional reform debates for several years. Advocates say decentralised policing could improve public safety by giving state governments greater responsibility for addressing local security concerns.
However, some stakeholders have expressed concerns about possible misuse of state police by political office holders, arguing that strong constitutional safeguards would be necessary to protect citizens’ rights and ensure accountability.
What This Means for Nigeria
The development means the National Assembly will now begin considering one of the country’s most significant security reform proposals in recent years. If the constitutional amendment secures the required legislative approval and support from state Houses of Assembly, Nigeria could adopt a multi-level policing system. The outcome of the legislative process will determine whether state governments receive constitutional authority to establish and manage their own police services.
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