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State Police Established in Nigeria

 The House of Representatives passed the constitutional amendment bill to establish state police across Nigeria on Thursday. 

The bill which proposes a major constitutional shift from the current centralized policing system to a dual Federal and State Police structure to tackle local security challenges was passed with overwhelming vote support—289 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention. 

The legislation, officially 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) Bill, 2026," is a major step toward decentralizing the country's security architecture.


Key details and provisions of the bill:

1. Core Constitutional Changes

 Legislative Shift: The bill moves policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, empowering the 36 state governments to establish, fund, and manage their own police forces alongside the federal Nigeria Police Force.


 Section 214 Alteration: It amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally recognize both the Federal Police and State Police as distinct institutions.

2. Operational Framework and Standards

 National Standards: The National Assembly retains the authority to prescribe the legal framework and national minimum operational standards for state police services.

 State Implementation: No state police formation can commence operations unless it is established through legislation passed by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as meeting the prescribed national standards.

 Transitional Phase: Until a state police force is fully operational, the Federal Police will continue to perform policing duties in that state.

3. Leadership and Command Structure

 State Commissioners: Under the proposed Section 215, a State Commissioner of Police will be appointed by the governor on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council and subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

 Inspector-General of Police (IGP): The IGP will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.

 Directives and Dispute Resolution: Governors are empowered to issue lawful directives to their State Commissioners of Police on matters of public safety. However, if a commissioner believes a directive is unlawful or violates policing standards, the matter can be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision will be final.

4. Limits on Federal Interference

To prevent clashes and safeguard state autonomy, the bill restricts the Federal Police from intervening in a state's internal security affairs except under specific conditions:

. A complete breakdown of law and order.

. A direct request from the state governor.

. The state police force becomes incapable of functioning due to administrative, financial, or operational challenges.

5. Voting and Next Steps

 The Vote: The bill secured overwhelming support in the House, with 288 lawmakers voting in favor and 4 voting against. The voting was conducted manually by a show of hands due to a malfunction in the electronic voting system.

 Legislative Hurdles Remaining: To become law, the bill must now be passed by the Senate, endorsed by at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly (24 states), and finally receive Presidential assent.

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