The Sokoto State House of Assembly has unanimously passed a bill seeking to establish state police services in Nigeria, joining other state legislatures considering the proposed reform of the country’s policing system.
The bill was adopted during plenary on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, following a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mustapha Abdullahi, who represents Sokoto South II. Speaker Tukur Bala Bodinga presided over the sitting. <Cite refs={["turn460547search4","turn460547search9"]}/>
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for state police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the federal policing institution.
The development comes amid persistent security challenges across the North-West, including banditry, kidnapping and attacks on rural communities. Supporters of state policing argue that decentralising police operations could improve intelligence gathering and enable security personnel to respond more quickly to local threats.
Presenting the bill, Abdullahi explained that the proposed framework would divide responsibilities between federal and state police services.
Under the proposal, federal police would handle matters including terrorism, cybercrime, border security, interstate and international crimes, and the protection of federal assets.
State police services would focus on local law enforcement, maintaining public order, protecting lives and property, and investigating crimes within their jurisdictions.
The proposed framework also provides for a State Commander of Police, to be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
A State Police Service Commission would oversee the appointment, promotion and discipline of personnel, except the state police commander.
The proposal also outlines funding arrangements intended to support the operation of state police services.
Advocates of state policing believe officers recruited to serve within their communities could develop a stronger understanding of local terrain, criminal networks and emerging security threats.
They argue that closer cooperation with residents and community leaders could strengthen intelligence gathering and help authorities respond more effectively to crime.
However, the proposal has also raised concerns about possible political interference, funding constraints, operational independence and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Effective implementation would require professional training, transparent recruitment, independent oversight and mechanisms to investigate allegations of misconduct.
The Sokoto Assembly’s decision forms part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at creating a legal basis for state police services.
Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional alteration requires approval by at least two-thirds of all State Houses of Assembly, alongside the required legislative process at the National Assembly.
Although Sokoto lawmakers have approved the proposal, the vote does not by itself establish an operational state police force in the state.
The next steps will depend on the completion of the constitutional process and the development of the legal and administrative framework required to implement the reform.