Tinubu Transmits State Police Bill to Senate

President Bola Tinubu has sent a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate, proposing the creation of state-level police forces to enhance national security.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to create a legal framework for the establishment of state police across the federation.

The move follows repeated calls by the President for constitutional reforms that would enable states to play a more active role in securing their territories.

In February, Tinubu urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, describing the proposal as necessary to tackle terrorism, banditry and other security threats confronting the country.

During his Democracy Day address earlier this month, the President reiterated his administration’s resolve to tackle insecurity and warned that terrorists, bandits and their sponsors would face the full weight of the law.

Tinubu said more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year and noted that terrorism-related deaths had declined significantly compared to previous years.

However, he acknowledged that the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states remained a painful reminder of the country’s security challenges.

The state police proposal has gained momentum in recent months, with both chambers of the National Assembly advancing constitutional amendment processes aimed at decentralising policing powers.

The Senate is expected to reconvene for an emergency plenary session to consider the bill as lawmakers move to advance what is widely regarded as one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history.

If passed, the legislation would pave the way for the creation of state-controlled police formations operating alongside federal security agencies under a constitutionally defined framework.