The bill seeking to establish State Police and devolve policing powers to subnational governments on Thursday, June 11, 2026, scaled its second reading in the Nigerian Senate.
The passing of the bill marks a significant step toward overhauling Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
The legislation, which enjoys broad bipartisan support, was sponsored by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
It was referred to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution by Senate President Godswill Akpabio for further legislative scrutiny.
Leading the debate, Senator Bamidele underscored the urgent need for reform amid Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, mass abductions, farmer-herder clashes, cultism, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism, and cyber-enabled crimes.
He argued that the centralised Nigeria Police Force has struggled to respond effectively to localised threats.
“Nigerians have consistently called for the establishment of State Police, citing the inability of a centralised policing structure to adequately
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