The Senate has announced plans to expedite constitutional amendments for the establishment of state police in response to rising insecurity, banditry, and abductions across Nigeria. Lawmakers say the proposal is aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture and improving response to violent crimes.
Calls for state police have intensified following a series of deadly attacks and kidnappings in different parts of the country. The growing insecurity has renewed debate over decentralising Nigeria’s policing system to allow states play a more direct role in maintaining law and order. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that the Senate is prepared to begin constitutional procedures required to amend relevant sections of the constitution to enable the creation of state policing structures.
Adaramodu disclosed in an interview with Saturday PUNCH that the Senate is committed to fast-tracking the legislative process for state police as part of efforts to address insecurity.
He said: “Very soon. As I earlier told you, the Senate is fully prepared to commence the constitutional processes for the establishment of state police without delay.” He added that the Senate would provide the necessary legislative backing for the reform, stressing that it was essential to national security efforts.
“We will ensure that the necessary legislative stamina is accorded to the establishment of state police, so as to keep Nigerians safe and secure, and drive out rampaging bandits and other social marauders,” he said. According to him, the initiative is designed to complement the federal government’s ongoing security efforts under President Bola Tinubu and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to violent crimes such as kidnapping and banditry.
The Senate spokesperson also noted that the constitutional amendment process for state police has already commenced and will be accelerated in subsequent legislative sessions. He explained that the proposal is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security system and ensuring more effective policing at the grassroots level.
The push for state police is seen as a major shift in Nigeria’s security governance structure. Supporters argue that decentralised policing would allow faster response times, improved local intelligence, and better coordination in tackling community-level threats. However, the proposal is expected to generate further national debate, as constitutional amendments require broad legislative agreement and stakeholder consensus across political and regional lines.
