ABUJA, NIGERIA — In a major legislative shift aimed at tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, the Senate has moved to fast-track the creation of state police. Leadership announced on Monday that a standalone constitutional amendment bill will be prioritized for independent voting this week.  

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed the development in Abuja, revealing that the National Assembly has resolved to bypass traditional legislative delays. Lawmakers are isolating the state police clause from the broader, ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution to expedite its passage due to national urgency.  

Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution currently mandates a strict monopoly on domestic law enforcement, stating that "there shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force."

"Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on this issue," Senator Bamidele stated. "All strata of the federation have made it clear that there cannot be a better time to establish a state police than now. We came to the conclusion that we are going to pass the constitutional amendment in this respect... that will come to fruition this very week because there is no need to allow any further delay."

High-Level Consensus Amid Deepening Crisis

The aggressive legislative push follows an escalating wave of security breaches nationwide, including persistent terrorism, rural kidnapping networks, and banditry. Lawmakers highlighted recent regional crises, specifically the mid-May mass abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as a critical catalyst demanding localized response frameworks.

According to the Senate leadership, extensive strategic consultations have reached advanced stages over the past week. Key stakeholders involved in shaping the legislative framework include:  

  •  The National Assembly Joint Constitution Review Executive
  •  The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi
  •  The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila  
  •  National Security Agencies and Intelligence Commanders  

Bamidele confirmed that the initiative enjoys absolute consensus from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the majority of the 36 state governors, smoothing over previous political friction regarding sub-national law enforcement command chains.  

The Legislative Pathway to Ratification

By decoupling the state police bill from larger omnibus amendments, the Senate intends to hold an independent vote immediately. Once approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, the draft will be transmitted directly to sub-national parliaments.  

To alter the constitutional provisions governing national policing, the bill must successfully navigate the stringent criteria set out for amendments:

Bamidele voiced strong confidence that state assemblies are eagerly awaiting the transmission, urging sub-national leaders to treat the framework strictly as a matter of urgent national survival rather than an avenue for regional or political sentiments.

Reported by Infinite Pulse News Digital Desk.

To learn more about how lawmakers are approaching this issue, you can watch this report on how the Senate moves to fast-track the state police bill, detailing regional reactions and the legislative timeline for the constitutional amendment.