Senate passes state police bill, allows governors to appoint commissioners

The Senate has approved a constitutional amendment aimed at creating state police throughout Nigeria, marking a crucial advancement in efforts to decentralize law enforcement and address the growing insecurity across the country.

The bill received approval on Wednesday after a thorough examination and a manual voting session, with more than two-thirds of senators in favor.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the bill’s passage after the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, presented its report.

This proposed legislation aims to establish a state policing framework that would function alongside the current federal police system, thereby ending the Federal Government’s sole authority over policing.

According to the proposed legislation, each state’s police force will be led by a Commissioner of Police, who will be appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by the State House of Assembly. Meanwhile, the federal police will continue to operate under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police.

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Additionally, the amendment gives governors the power to issue lawful written orders regarding public safety and order within their states.

To prevent any misuse of power, the bill includes protections that stop state police from arresting, detaining, investigating, or targeting individuals, political parties, or groups solely for expressing criticism of the government, unless they act in accordance with the law.

This bill is seen as one of the most important constitutional reforms to come out of the 10th National Assembly. However, it still needs to gain the approval of the state Houses of Assembly and fulfill other constitutional requirements before it can become law.