Nigeria’s House of Representatives has approved a landmark constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police, marking a significant step in the country’s long-running push to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security.
The proposed amendment, passed during plenary on Thursday, is expected to reshape Nigeria’s security architecture by granting states the constitutional authority to establish and manage their own police services, subject to the completion of the constitutional amendment process.
Lawmakers, however, deferred consideration of several other proposed constitutional amendments to a future legislative session, saying more time was needed to conclude deliberations on the outstanding bills.
The approval of state police has remained one of the most debated constitutional reforms in Nigeria, with supporters arguing it would improve local security and tackle rising insecurity, while critics have expressed concerns over possible political abuse by state governments.
The amendment must still secure the required approval of state Houses of Assembly and meet other constitutional requirements before it can become law.
