The house of representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, paving the way for a decentralised policing system across Nigeria.
The proposed legislation outlines the structure, funding, regulation and operational framework for state police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as a federal institution.
Under the bill, state governments will be empowered to establish police services through laws enacted by their respective houses of assembly.
However, such police formations must meet national minimum standards prescribed by the national assembly before becoming operational.
A major provision of the bill grants governors the authority to appoint commissioners of police on the recommendation of the national police council and subject to confirmation by the state house of assembly.
The legislation also creates State Police Service Commissions, which will oversee recruitment, discipline and other administrative functions within state police commands.
To prevent abuse of power, the bill stipulates that commissioners can challenge directives they consider unlawful by referring such matters to the National Police Council, whose decision will be binding.
The proposed law further provides that the Federal Government may offer grants and financial assistance to states to support policing activities, particularly for states with limited financial capacity.
While state police services will handle local security matters, the federal police will continue to operate nationwide and may intervene in states under exceptional circumstances, including a breakdown of law and order, subject to approval by the National Police Council.
The bill also seeks to protect police chiefs from arbitrary removal. Both the Inspector-General of Police and state Commissioners of Police can only be removed through clearly defined constitutional procedures involving legislative approval.
In addition, the proposed amendment expands the composition of the National Police Council to include representatives of civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour unions, traditional institutions and retired police officers, aimed at strengthening civilian oversight and accountability.
The House said the reforms are designed to improve security architecture, enhance local policing and provide a more effective response to rising insecurity across the country.
The bill will proceed to the next stages of the constitutional amendment process before it can become law.
