State Police Bill Reaches State Assemblies As Experts Clash Over Police Readiness

Nigeria’s push for State Police has entered a decisive phase, with the National Assembly transmitting the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to all 36 State Houses of Assembly for concurrence, requiring approval from at least 24 states for the amendment to proceed. The deliberations are expected to focus on the structure, powers, funding and accountability of the proposed State Police, amid renewed calls for decentralised policing following worsening insecurity including kidnapping, banditry and communal violence.

Director-General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research, Dr Charles Omole, said more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s police leadership remained opposed to State Police, warning that simply replicating the Nigeria Police Force across 36 states without changing its operational culture could worsen insecurity.

He faulted the “transactional” approach of many governors to security and cited Nigeria’s experience with UK-funded community policing, which he said was frustrated by resistance within the police hierarchy despite significant funding, stressing that legislation alone could achieve little without institutional cultural change.

However, Chairman of the Nigeria Police Committee on the Establishment of State Police, Prof Olu Ogunsakin, expressed optimism that all 36 states would eventually back the reform, disputing Omole’s 90 per cent claim as unsubstantiated by evidence. Ogunsakin said the Inspector-General and senior officers had been actively involved in discussions and advocacy, and disclosed a three-day police retreat in Owerri to further engage stakeholders, though he declined to give a timeline for the reform’s completion.

Meanwhile, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures said state assemblies were awaiting formal transmission of the bills before commencing consideration. Chairman Emomotimi Dennis Guwor said each bill would be assessed on its merits, with the State Police Bill receiving particular attention given its implications for sub-national governance, and that the Conference planned to engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to harmonise perspectives before states finalise their positions.