The push for the creation of state police has gained fresh momentum on Tuesday as the Osun State House of Assembly approved the proposed constitutional amendment, while lawmakers in Zamfara and Sokoto commenced consideration of the bill.
NaijaOnPoint reports that the developments followed a clarification by the National Assembly that the State Police Services Bill is the only constitutional amendment proposal so far transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, made the clarification in a statement titled, “National Assembly Clarifies Transmission of Constitution Alteration Bill to State Houses of Assembly.”
Ogunlana recalled that the National Assembly had, on September 16, 2026, announced the transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeking to provide for the establishment of State Police Services.
He said the bill was prioritised in response to widespread public concerns over security and policing in the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is only this particular Constitution Alteration Bill that has so far been transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly,” the clerk said.
“It is, therefore, incorrect to suggest or create the impression that all the Constitution Alteration Bills before the National Assembly have been transmitted to the states.”
According to Ogunlana, the other constitutional amendment bills would be sent to the state legislatures after being passed in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly.
“The other Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bills before the National Assembly will be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states of the federation upon their passage in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly, in accordance with the constitutional amendment process,” he added.
In Osun, lawmakers unanimously approved the State Police Services Bill after deliberating on the proposal during Tuesday’s plenary.
The Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, had read a letter from the National Assembly requesting the state Houses of Assembly to consider and approve the proposed constitutional amendment.
Egbedun said the proposal had been forwarded to the House as part of the constitutional amendment process.
Contributing to the debate, Lawrence Adeoti, representing Ife South State Constituency, and Taofeek Olayiwola, representing Ede South, backed the bill, arguing that state police would strengthen security.
Adewumi Adeyemi, representing Obokun, and Jeremiah Awoyeye, representing Ife Central, also described the proposal as timely.
They said state police would strengthen the country’s security architecture, particularly at the state and local government levels, by enabling states to respond more effectively to security challenges within their jurisdictions.
The Majority Leader, Babajide Kofoworola, representing Ede North, subsequently moved a motion for the House to support the amendment. The motion was seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi, representing Ifelodun.
Meanwhile in Zamfara, the State House of Assembly commenced consideration of the bill during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Bilyaminu Isma’il Moriki.
The Director of Legislative Matters, Yusuf Sabo Tsafe, confirmed the development and expressed confidence that the House would consider and pass the proposal.
Similarly, the Sokoto State House of Assembly began consideration of the bill, with the proposal undergoing its First Reading on Tuesday.
The Head of the Assembly’s New Media Unit, Aminu Abdullahi, said copies would be distributed to lawmakers for detailed study ahead of the Second Reading.
He, however, said it was too early to determine whether the lawmakers would approve or reject the proposal.
In Bauchi, the State House of Assembly received the bill and constituted an ad hoc committee to study it and make recommendations.
The Speaker, Abubakar Y. Suleiman, announced the development during Tuesday’s plenary, following a message from the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Jamilu Ummaru Dahiru, with the Majority Leader, Auwal Hassan, as deputy chairman.
Other members include the Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada; Deputy Majority Leader, Babayo Muhammad Akuyam; Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Garba Lawal; Habibu Umar; Suleiman Sa’idu Darazo; and Nasiru Ahmed Ala.
The Clerk of the House, Hauwa Ahmed Abubakar, will serve as secretary, while the Director of Legal Services, Ladi Yarima, will serve as deputy secretary. The committee was given two weeks to examine the bill and submit its report.
… Osun Assembly, Others Take Fresh Actions on State Police Bill Read More on … NaijaOnPoint.
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