Kwara and 12 Other States Support State Policing Bill

The approval brings the number of state assemblies supporting the proposed amendment to 13. Other North-central states that have backed it include Nasarawa and Plateau. Taraba, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, and Enugu also approved the bill.

The proposed reform aims to change the 1999 Constitution. It will create a decentralized policing system that includes the Federal Police Service and state police services. This change comes as Nigeria faces serious issues like kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and communal violence. There are increasing demands for security agencies to act better against local threats.

Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment needs approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly. This means 24 states need to agree before it can go to the president for approval. With 13 assemblies already supporting the proposal, it still lacks the number needed.

The Senate passed the amendment on June 24, and the House of Representatives followed on July 23. The proposal was sent to the state assemblies on September 16, 2026. In Plateau, lawmakers accepted recommendations from an ad hoc committee about the proposed amendment. They made their decision in a meeting led by Speaker Naanlong Daniel after the committee shared its report.

In Nasarawa, the State House of Assembly also approved the proposed amendment, joining other states in supporting the creation of state police. Taraba lawmakers backed the proposal unanimously on Tuesday. Speaker John Bonzena said this system could help reduce crime, create jobs, and improve teamwork among security agencies.

In Ogun, lawmakers agreed to the report from an ad hoc committee on constitutional review. They approved the relevant clauses and amendments by voice vote. The Cross River State House of Assembly also supported the bill, with all 22 members present voting in favor. Three members were not there. Speaker Elvert Ayambem said the state police must follow the law, ensure accountability, and respect citizens' rights.

In Delta, all 23 members present voted for the amendment. Speaker Emomotimi Guwor told the Clerk of the House to inform the National Assembly about their decision. Enugu lawmakers also passed a resolution supporting the proposal, with Speaker Uche Ugwu announcing it.

This development comes as the Presidential Working Group finished the proposed National Policing Bill. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and chairman of the working group, said they submitted the proposed law and 29 related amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for review.

This submission was made to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. According to Gbajabiamila, the ministry should send back the validated drafts to the working group by October 30. After that, the group will review the bills before presenting them to President Tinubu.

The drafting process is happening while state assemblies are looking at the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026. The idea of state police has been discussed in Nigeria for more than twenty years. Supporters believe decentralized policing will bring law enforcement closer to communities, improve information sharing, and allow quicker responses to local security issues.

But critics worry that state governors might misuse their power over state police to go after political rivals or silence opposition. The proposed reforms aim to create the legal and institutional framework for a two-tier policing system. Still, the constitutional amendment needs more support from state assemblies to move forward.