The Senate on Wednesday passed the long-awaited State Police Bill, moving Nigeria closer to the establishment of state-controlled police services as part of efforts to tackle the country's growing security challenges.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which seeks to create a policing system operating at both federal and state levels, secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators during plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The legislation was adopted following the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, presented by Deputy Senate President and committee chairman, Barau Jibrin.
A major feature of the bill is the provision granting state governors the authority to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Nigeria Police Force will remain under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, while each state police service will be headed by a commissioner appointed at the state level.
The bill also empowers governors to issue lawful policy directives to state police commissioners on matters relating to public safety and the maintenance of law and order within their jurisdictions.
To address concerns over possible abuse of state police by political office holders, lawmakers included provisions aimed at protecting civil liberties and democratic rights.
The legislation prohibits state police authorities from arresting, detaining, investigating or using force against any individual, political party or group merely for expressing criticism of government policies, except where such actions are backed by law.
Opening debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposal as a necessary response to the country's worsening security situation, arguing that localised policing would enhance intelligence gathering and improve operational effectiveness.
The Senate's approval came shortly after lawmakers abandoned plans to use an electronic voting system for the constitutional amendment exercise.
Concerns over technical challenges affecting some voting devices prompted senators to adopt an open manual voting process to ensure full participation.
Akpabio supported the switch, saying the transparent method would strengthen public confidence in the process and clearly show Nigerians where their elected representatives stood on key constitutional reforms.
The voting exercise was witnessed by several top government officials, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
For years, advocates of state policing have argued that Nigeria's centralised police structure has become overstretched and ill-equipped to confront security threats across the country's diverse regions.
They maintain that state police would improve response times, deepen community engagement and strengthen efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other crimes.
However, critics have consistently warned that governors could misuse state-controlled police formations to intimidate opponents and influence political activities.
Despite the concerns, the Senate's approval marks a significant milestone in the constitutional amendment process and one of the most far-reaching reforms undertaken by the 10th National Assembly.
The proposal must still secure approval from the required number of state Houses of Assembly and complete other constitutional procedures before it can become law.
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