#state police

A US lawmaker has expressed support for Nigeria's state police bill, which is intended to empower state authorities to better protect persecuted Christians and effectively tackle insecurity in the region. This development has been welcomed as a potential solution to ongoing issues faced by Christian communities in Nigeria.

Concerns have been raised about the potential for state police to be misused by governors, particularly regarding funding and the lack of adequate checks and balances. This issue highlights the risks associated with the relationship between state police and political leadership, as noted by a source from PM News.

Retired Commissioner of Police Balarabe Sule has expressed concerns regarding the financial challenges that many Nigerian states may face in funding and sustaining their own police forces if the proposed state police system is implemented. His warnings highlight the potential difficulties in managing the initiative effectively across various states.

On June 24, 2026, Nigeria's Senate approved a constitutional amendment bill aimed at creating state police services, marking a significant step towards restructuring the country's policing system. This legislation is considered one of the most important security reforms since Nigeria's return to democratic governance, receiving broad support from lawmakers.

The Nigerian Senate has passed a constitutional amendment bill aimed at establishing state police, with 87 senators voting in favor. This move is part of efforts to address the country's escalating security issues. However, the bill requires approval from at least 24 state legislatures before it can receive presidential assent.

Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, explained his support for the establishment of state police in Nigeria during an interview on Arise Television. He emphasized the need for a significant increase in police personnel, suggesting that Nigeria requires at least one million officers to adequately serve its population of over 200 million. His comments followed discussions in the Senate regarding the state police bill.

Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated that governors who misuse state police will face sanctions. He made this comment during an interview on Arise Television, following the Senate's passage of the controversial State Police Bill. Adaramodu emphasized the need for accountability among state governors regarding the use of state police.

Ali Ndume, the lawmaker for Borno South Senatorial District, has raised concerns regarding the establishment of state police in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to address legal implications, funding, accountability, and operational modes. His comments were made during an interview on Arise Television following the Senate's passage of a bill related to state police.

According to Daily Trust, Nigeria is facing a critical juncture regarding the establishment of state police, as the Tinubu administration intensifies its efforts to decentralize policing across the federation. Advocates argue for the benefits of state police, but concerns about the implications of such a move are also being raised, suggesting that the nation may not yet be ready for this change.

The Senate has passed a bill that supports the establishment of state police in Nigeria, marking a significant development in the long-discussed topic. This follows the earlier approval of a similar bill by the House of Representatives, aimed at amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Governor Mbah has inaugurated a Centre for DNA Forensics and Investigation, emphasizing his administration's commitment to enhancing security in the state. He stated that there is no longer a safe haven for criminals, as efforts have been made to improve the capacity to preempt and track criminal activities. Mbah also praised President Tinubu for his support of state police and ongoing reforms.

Governor Sani expressed confidence that the establishment of state police would be positively received by Nigerians, asserting that the proposal is not politically motivated. He emphasized that there are safeguards in place to prevent the abuse of power by state police forces, according to Channels TV.

The Senate has proposed safeguards aimed at preventing governors from misusing the powers of state police as part of constitutional amendments to establish decentralized policing. This initiative seeks to address concerns regarding the potential abuse of authority by state leaders in relation to law enforcement.

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill aimed at establishing state police in response to increasing concerns about insecurity and mass kidnappings across the country. This legislative move reflects the growing momentum for decentralized policing as a solution to these issues.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate that aims to establish state police across Nigeria. This proposed legislation seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution and is part of broader efforts to enhance the country's security framework.