The Plateau State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria.
The Assembly cited persistent security challenges and manpower shortages in the Nigeria Police Force.
The lawmakers adopted the recommendations of an ad-hoc committee set up to consider the proposed amendment during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Naanlong Daniel.
The committee’s chairman, Prof. Theodore Bala Maiyaki, who represents Qua’an-Pan South Constituency, presented the report before the House adopted its recommendations and voted in support of the proposal.
Maiyaki said the amendment was necessary to address security challenges and strengthen policing at the community level.
“The proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of both federal and state police services,” Maiyaki said.
According to him, the framework would include safeguards for human rights, operational standards, accountability and coordination between the different policing structures.
“The proposed constitutional amendment has become necessary in view of the security challenges facing the country, the manpower shortage in the Nigeria Police Force and the need to strengthen local policing arrangements,” Maiyaki said.
He added that the committee considered the proposal timely because of the need to improve security arrangements and enable quicker responses to threats within communities.
The committee also noted that security was essential to the socioeconomic development of Plateau State and other parts of the country, recommending that the House support the proposed constitutional change.
The bill was transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, for consideration and approval.
Commending the committee, the Speaker said the lawmakers had shown commitment to addressing issues affecting the security and development of the state.
The bill would proceed to subsequent stages of consideration in line with the House rules.