Kebbi Assembly receives state police bill for consideration, approval

The Kebbi State House of Assembly has received the State Police Bill, seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to provide for the establishment of state police services, from the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

In a press statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi and signed by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Murtala Adamu Diri, the Assembly said the bill was transmitted through a letter dated September 16, 2026.

The letter, with reference number NASS/CNA/37/S.1/Vol.I/021, was signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., and addressed to the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Maikasuwa Dangoje.

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Reading the letter during Tuesday’s plenary session, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Faruku Aliyu Nassarawa Jega, said the executive bill was passed by the Senate on June 24, 2026, and by the House of Representatives on July 23, 2026.

He said the bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police service.

According to the letter, pursuant to Sections 9(1) and 9(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives directed that the bill be transmitted to the Kebbi State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The National Assembly leadership requested that the Kebbi State House of Assembly consider the bill expeditiously and communicate its resolution to the National Assembly as soon as possible to facilitate the completion of the constitutional amendment process in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

The transmission of the bill is part of the ongoing nationwide constitutional amendment process, which requires approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before the bill can be presented to the President for assent.

The establishment of state police has been a subject of national debate for years, with proponents arguing that it would strengthen community policing, improve responses to local security challenges and complement the efforts of the federal police in tackling banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, particularly in states such as Kebbi facing security challenges.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Internal Security, which is expected to deliberate on it during the next legislative session and make recommendations on whether it should be approved.