Nigeria's long-running debate over state police recorded a major breakthrough after the House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police formations across the country.
The development is being regarded as one of the most significant security reform efforts since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999.
Lawmakers in the House overwhelmingly backed the proposal during voting conducted at the Committee of the Whole presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The final vote showed overwhelming support for the amendment, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour, one member abstaining, and no opposition recorded according to reports from the proceedings.
Other reports indicated that 288 lawmakers supported the measure while four voted against it during the show-of-hands exercise.
The proposed legislation seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution to create a framework for both federal and state police structures operating within Nigeria.
Supporters argue that the current centralized policing system has struggled to effectively address increasingly complex security challenges across different regions of the country.
Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts, armed robbery, and other criminal activities that have stretched existing security resources.
Advocates of state police believe locally controlled security agencies would improve intelligence gathering and accelerate responses to security threats.
The amendment proposes changes to Section 214 of the Constitution to formally recognize both Federal Police and State Police institutions.
Under the framework, the National Assembly would establish operational standards and regulatory guidelines for state police formations.
The bill also provides that no state police force can commence operations unless it is established through legislation passed by the relevant State House of Assembly.
Additionally, each state police service would be required to meet nationally prescribed minimum standards before becoming operational.
Federal police would continue carrying out all policing responsibilities within any state that has not successfully established its own police service.
The proposal also contains provisions designed to limit excessive federal interference in state policing operations.
According to the amendment, federal intervention would be permitted only under specific circumstances such as a complete breakdown of law and order or at the request of a state governor.
The legislation further introduces changes to the appointment process for police leadership at both federal and state levels.
Under the proposal, state governors would appoint State Commissioners of Police based on recommendations from the Nigeria Police Council and subject to confirmation by state legislatures.
Governors would also be empowered to issue lawful directives concerning public safety and security within their states.
However, commissioners who believe such directives violate policing standards would be able to refer disputes to the Nigeria Police Council for final determination.
Momentum behind the proposal also extended to the Senate, where lawmakers advanced the bill through second reading.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who led debate on the measure, argued that the reform is necessary to strengthen Nigeria's internal security architecture.
He acknowledged concerns that state police could be abused by governors but stated that safeguards within the bill were designed to address such fears.
Despite broad support, critics have warned that decentralised policing could potentially be exploited for political purposes if adequate oversight mechanisms are not maintained.
Others have expressed concerns about whether financially weaker states would possess sufficient resources to effectively fund and manage independent police services.
Nevertheless, the proposal continues to enjoy strong backing from many political leaders, security stakeholders, and state governors who believe reform has become necessary.
The bill must still secure Senate approval and obtain endorsement from at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly before it can receive presidential assent and become part of the Constitution.
If successfully enacted, the amendment would fundamentally reshape Nigeria's policing structure and mark a historic shift toward decentralised law enforcement across the federation.