Thirteen states of the federation have so far approved the proposal for the establishment of state policing structure in the country, leaving it’s final approval open and awaiting the assent of 11 more states to become a reality.
Four states on Wednesday passed the State Police Bill, which has to be assented to by two thirds or 24 state Houses of Assembly for it to scale through.
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeking to provide for the establishment of State Police in Nigeria.
The bill scaled second and third readings during plenary in Ado Ekiti, with all 21 members present supporting its passage, signalling the Assembly’s endorsement of the proposed constitutional framework for decentralised policing.
Following the passage, the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, directed the Clerk of the House to transmit the document to the National Assembly, alongside the observations made by the state legislature.
Also, the Benue State House of Assembly passed a similar bill seeking to amend the Nigerian Constitution to allow for the establishment of state police, adding its voice to ongoing efforts to decentralise policing and address the country’s security challenges.
The bill was approved during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, following deliberations led by the House Majority Leader, Peter Ipusu.
The Imo State House of Assembly yesterday, equally approved a proposed alteration to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police services and related matters.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Kanayo Onyemaechi, representing Owerri West, during plenary.
Moving the motion, Onyemaechi said the National Assembly had transmitted the bill to the state legislature for consideration and approval, in line with constitutional provisions.
Following closely, the Anambra State House of Assembly also passed a resolution to pave the way for the establishment of state police.
The bill passed through the first, second and third readings during plenary in Awka, marking a step towards establishing a constitutional framework for decentralised policing in the country.
The executive bill, which originated from the Presidency, seeks to provide a legal basis for states to establish their own police services, subject to constitutional provisions and an Act of the National Assembly prescribing minimum national policing standards.
Under the proposed framework, the Nigeria Police Force would remain the default policing institution in a state until a state police service is lawfully established and certified operational.
The bill also retains the Federal Government’s policing responsibilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, while providing safeguards for civilian oversight, human rights protection, national policing standards, independent police service commissions, intergovernmental cooperation, criminal information systems and firearms control.
At the plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, the lawmakers adopted the bill through a voice vote.
The post 13 states pass police bill, 11 yet to respond appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.