ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — President Bola Tinubu has formally transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Nigerian Senate seeking the creation of state police forces, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture amid rising threats from terrorism and banditry.
The proposed legislation would amend provisions of the 1999 Constitution to establish a legal framework for state police across Nigeria’s 36 states. If passed, it would mark a significant shift from the current centralized policing system, which has long been criticized as overstretched and unable to effectively respond to localized security challenges.
Tinubu has repeatedly called for constitutional reforms to allow states to play a more active role in securing their territories. In February, he urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, describing the proposal as necessary to confront terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
During his Democracy Day address earlier this month, the president reiterated his administration’s resolve to tackle insecurity, warning that terrorists, bandits and their sponsors would face the full weight of the law.
The debate over state police has divided opinion in Nigeria. Supporters argue that local forces would be better equipped to understand and respond to community-specific threats. Critics warn that state controlled police could be misused by governors for political purposes, potentially undermining civil liberties.
International observers note that Nigeria’s security challenges including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and separatist tensions in the southeast have regional implications, affecting West African stability and cross-border trade. The move toward state police is being closely watched by neighboring governments and international partners, who see Nigeria’s internal security as critical to broader regional peace.
Analysts say the bill’s progress in the Senate will be a key test of Tinubu’s ability to build consensus around constitutional reforms. Civil society groups have urged lawmakers to ensure strong safeguards against abuse while granting states the tools needed to protect their citizens.
