Senate Passes State Police Bill, Grants Governors Power to Appoint Commissioners

 

By Abel Chigozie 

 The Senate on Wednesday passed the landmark Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking a significant step in the country's long-running efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security.

The bill, which secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators during a clause-by-clause consideration, seeks to create state police services alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force as part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at addressing rising insecurity nationwide.

A key provision of the proposed legislation empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the State Houses of Assembly and in accordance with guidelines established by the National Police Council.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who led debate on the bill, said the proposed law was designed to create a decentralised policing structure capable of responding more effectively to local security challenges while maintaining national oversight mechanisms. He noted that the measure contains safeguards to prevent governors from deploying state police for partisan, ethnic, religious or personal interests.

Under the proposed framework, state police forces would be responsible for enforcing state laws, maintaining public safety, protecting lives and property, and combating crimes within their jurisdictions. The Federal Police would retain authority over national security matters and may intervene in state affairs only under clearly defined circumstances, including a breakdown of public order, threats to national security, serious violations of fundamental rights, or when a state police service becomes incapable of functioning effectively.

The Senate also outlined accountability measures that would allow state police commissioners to challenge directives from governors deemed unlawful or inconsistent with professional policing standards by referring such matters to the National Police Council for final determination.

Supporters of the bill argue that decentralised policing will improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to security threats and strengthen community-based law enforcement. However, critics have expressed concerns that state police could be abused by governors for political purposes, a concern lawmakers say has been addressed through constitutional safeguards and oversight provisions.

For the bill to become law, it must still secure approval from the House of Representatives, receive endorsement from at least 24 State Houses of Assembly, and obtain presidential assent.