Nigeria’s House passes state police bill as security reform gains momentum
Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed the state police bill on June 11, 2026, sending the legislation to the Senate for further deliberation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said deliberations will be prioritised within the constitutional review process, and President Bola Tinubu had urged lawmakers in February to amend the Constitution to create state police to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. Support spans regions, with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun calling it non‑negotiable for grassroots security and Northern leaders endorsing it at a December 2025 meeting, while traditional ruler Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams said it could substantially resolve insecurity within six months if implemented well.
The push reflects Nigeria’s worsening security landscape, where a centrally controlled police force struggles to address local threats such as banditry, terrorism and communal violence. Advocates argue that state police would improve intelligence gathering, response times and community trust by drawing officers from localities who know the terrain, language and criminal networks. They point to models in the United States, Canada, Germany and India where national and subnational policing coexist. Critics, including political scientist Jibrin Ibrahim, warn that without safeguards state police could be used for political intimidation or electoral manipulation, prompting lawmakers to focus on accountability mechanisms and the framework submitted by Inspector‑General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Readers should watch how the Senate shapes the bill, what safeguards are adopted, and how individual states plan to recruit and oversee their forces. Consider whether state police would make your neighbourhood safer or risk becoming a tool for partisan interests, and follow local debates as the reform moves toward possible enactment.