State Police Bill Faces Setback as Only Five State Assemblies Approve Proposal

Category: Nigeria Politics
Date: October 16, 2026
By: Ruvic Blog

Nigeria’s proposed state police system has encountered a major hurdle, with only five of the country’s 36 State Houses of Assembly reportedly approving the proposal as of October 15, 2026.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts to amend the Nigerian Constitution to allow individual states to establish their own police forces as part of broader discussions on improving security across the country.

According to a report by Punch Newspapers, the National Assembly had given state legislatures a 30-day deadline to communicate their positions on the proposed constitutional amendment.

State Police Proposal Faces Delays

The limited number of approvals raises questions about the progress of the proposal and the level of agreement among state lawmakers.

Supporters of state policing have argued that allowing states to establish their own police forces could improve responses to local security threats, including kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.

They believe police structures closer to local communities could improve intelligence gathering and make security operations more responsive to the needs of residents.

However, the proposal also raises questions about accountability, funding, political independence and safeguards against the possible misuse of state police by political officeholders.

What Happens Next?

The remaining State Houses of Assembly will play an important role in determining the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.

For the proposed system to become law, the necessary constitutional procedures and legislative approvals must be completed.

The debate over state policing remains an important issue in Nigeria as policymakers continue to explore ways to address the country's security challenges.

Source: Punch Newspapers

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