The push to establish state police in Nigeria has gained momentum, with 24 state Houses of Assembly reportedly passing the proposed bill. The move marks a major step towards decentralising the country’s policing system.
According to Vanguard, the 24 states that have passed the bill are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
Kano State is scheduled to hold a plenary vote on the bill. Meanwhile, Bauchi and Katsina remain at the committee review stage.
The growing support for state police in Nigeria reflects calls for a more decentralised approach to tackling insecurity. Supporters believe the reform could help security agencies respond faster to kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other crimes.
Six states—Abia, Borno, Ebonyi, Kogi, Ondo and Sokoto—have received the bill but have yet to take action. Jigawa, Lagos and Niger have not provided public updates on their positions.
Advocates argue that state police would improve intelligence gathering and strengthen security at the grassroots level. They also believe officers who understand local communities could identify threats more quickly.
However, critics have raised concerns about political interference and possible human rights abuses. They warn that some governors could use state police against political opponents.
To address these concerns, experts have called for strong legal safeguards, proper funding and effective oversight. These measures would help ensure that state police operate professionally and respect citizens’ rights.
The establishment of state police requires the completion of the necessary constitutional amendment process. The reported approval by 24 state assemblies represents a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to reform Nigeria’s security system.
The proposal remains a major national issue as the government and lawmakers seek effective ways to address the country’s security challenges.
