The House of Representatives will vote today on the proposed creation of state police.
The bill on state police is one of the constitutional amendment bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
It is titled,” A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to provide for the establishment of state police, and for related matters (Sixth Alteration) 2026.”
It is part of ongoing constitutional amendment proposals, seeking to formally introduce state and community policing structures, following growing concerns that the current centralised policing system has been unable to curb insurgency, banditry and kidnapping across the country effectively.
The proposal has generated significant public debate in recent years, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing would improve security responses and allow states to tackle local threats more effectively. At the same time, critics have raised concerns about potential abuse by state governments.
In the House, it is jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) and 14 other members.
Mr Kalu, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, told journalists that the chamber resolved to give priority to the state police proposal over other constitutional amendment bills.
He said the proposed amendment had become imperative given the rising cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes nationwide, stressing that the legislature must deploy constitutional and legislative instruments to address gaps in the country’s security framework.
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Last December, President Bola Tinubu expressed support for the creation of state police, describing it as a step that could enhance national security.
The 360 members of the House are expected to participate in the voting process today.
PREMIUM TIMES will bring you updates on the proceedings in the House.
12:25 p.m:
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has arrived in the chamber. Lawmakers welcomed him as they exchanged pleasantries.
12:33 p.m.:
Lawmakers have commenced proceedings with the recitation of the national anthem, the National Assembly pledge and opening prayers.
