President Tinubu transmits state police constitutional amendment to Senate
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police to the Senate. Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed this during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, June 18, 2026. The bill aims to amend constitutional provisions to create a legal framework for state police in Nigeria, addressing growing security challenges.
Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative deliberation, directing the committee to report back by Wednesday, June 19, 2026. This follows the Senate's June 11 second reading of a separate state police bill. It remains unclear whether lawmakers will hold a public hearing before final passage, despite parliamentary precedent.
The proposal builds on years of advocacy for localized policing amid rising banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes. Informal security outfits like Amotekun (South-west), Ebube Agu (South-east), and Hisbah (North-west) currently fill the void. While supporters argue state police will improve security, critics warn of potential abuse by governors to harass opponents or suppress dissent. Will this dual policing structure effectively protect citizens without compromising federalism and civil liberties?