The House of Representatives has approved the constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police, marking a major step in efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
The bill received overwhelming support during voting on the floor of the House, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour and only four opposing the proposal.
The vote was conducted through a show of hands after the House’s electronic voting system reportedly developed technical faults.
The approval represents a significant milestone in the push to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security amid growing concerns over terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
Proponents of state police have long argued that a decentralised policing structure would improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response capabilities and enable state governments to tackle local security challenges more effectively.
The bill now advances in the constitutional amendment process as lawmakers continue deliberations on reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s evolving security needs.
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