Nigeria has crossed a major constitutional threshold towards decentralised policing, but the approval of 28 state assemblies does not mean governors can immediately establish their own police forces.
The long-running campaign to decentralise Nigeria’s policing system has secured a significant legislative breakthrough, with 28 State Houses of Assembly approving the proposed constitutional amendment, exceeding the minimum 24 required to advance the process.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed on Tuesday that his office had received and verified the approvals, alongside the accompanying Votes and Proceedings. Administrative arrangements are now under way to transmit the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill to President Bola Tinubu.
Section 9 of the Constitution requires approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state legislatures for a constitutional alteration. The 28 endorsements therefore surpass the required threshold by four states.
The bill was sent to the state assemblies on September 16, with a 30-day period for their decisions to be communicated. Although that period expired on October 15, Ogunlana explained that his office would continue receiving reports until the transmission process was completed.
He also clarified that Section 9 does not expressly require a Third Reading for a constitutional alteration bill, unlike ordinary legislation.
RELATED NEWS:
What the 28 approvals actually mean
The development removes a major constitutional obstacle, but it does not automatically establish functioning state police commands.
Nigeria currently operates a centralised policing structure under the Nigeria Police Force. State governments can support security operations and provide logistics, but they do not independently recruit, command and deploy their own police forces.
The proposed amendment seeks to change that arrangement by providing for State Police Services alongside the existing federal structure.
Supporters believe locally controlled police formations could improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community relationships and shorten response times. Officers recruited within a state may also have better knowledge of local languages, terrain and criminal networks.
However, the arrangement carries serious risks. A governor with direct control over an armed police formation could misuse it against political opponents, journalists, protesters or communities involved in disputes with the state government.
The questions that must not be ignored
The success of state policing will depend on the safeguards built into its implementation. Who will supervise state police commissioners? What independent body will investigate misconduct? How will recruitment, funding and promotion be regulated? What happens when federal and state police officers disagree over jurisdiction?
These are not minor administrative details. They will determine whether decentralisation improves public safety or creates another instrument for political intimidation.
Funding is equally important. Establishing police formations requires sustained expenditure on salaries, training, vehicles, communication equipment, forensic facilities and intelligence operations. States with limited revenue may struggle to maintain effective services without compromising other public responsibilities.
There is also a constitutional procedural question requiring clear explanation. While the Clerk has announced plans to transmit the amendment to Tinubu for assent, the National Assembly’s published guide to constitutional alteration describes state ratification as the final approval stage under Section 9, without requiring presidential assent.
An authoritative clarification would help prevent confusion over the legal effect of the next step.
The 28 approvals have brought Nigeria closer to a fundamental change in its security architecture. The real test, however, will be whether the eventual framework protects citizens from crime without exposing them to unchecked political power.
For More News Updates, Visit New Daily Prime News
