Senate introduces strict safeguards against state police abuse

​In a move to accommodate a decentralised police structure in the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate has adopted clearly defined measures to constrain and prohibit state governors from using such powers for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional, or personal purposes.

​The upper chamber also pointed out that when eventually amended, the new constitution will authorise the National Assembly to prescribe national minimum standards relating to recruitment, training, vetting, promotions, discipline, use of force, firearms, complaints procedures, accountability, data management, and professional conduct.

​Balancing local autonomy with federal oversight
​Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate, reeled out these measures on Wednesday while leading the debate on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026. Canvassing support for the legislation, Bamidele first highlighted the objectives of the bill, which was submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

​Bamidele, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, pointed out that the proposal mainly seeks to balance local policing autonomy with national cohesion, accountability with operational effectiveness, and federal oversight with state responsibility. The bill is intended to retain the Nigeria Police Force for federal policing duties while providing for the establishment of state police services in states that choose to adopt them.

​Clarifying operational jurisdictions and intervention rules
​Breaking down the details of the proposed decentralised structure, Bamidele noted that state police forces would be responsible only for enforcing state laws, maintaining public safety, preventing and detecting local crimes, and protecting lives and property. Conversely, the federal police will remain in charge of protecting federal institutions, counter-terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, and interstate criminal activities.

​”The bill provides robust safeguards against abuse, preserves federal authority where necessary, protects constitutional rights, and creates a modern policing framework capable of addressing contemporary security challenges,” Bamidele stated.

​The Senate Leader clarified that federal intervention at the sub-national level could only be activated under specific conditions, such as an outright breakdown of public order or established electoral intimidation. Such intervention requires written authorisation from the President, remains limited in scope and duration, and is subject to Senate oversight and judicial review.

​Broad legislative support crosses party lines
​Supporting the bill, Eyinnaya Abaribe, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, admitted he was initially opposed to the establishment of state police. However, Abaribe pointed out that the prevailing security situation across the federation has necessitated its establishment to tackle rising security problems.

​Waziri Tambuwal, the former Sokoto State Governor and current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, observed that he has remained consistent on the need for local policing. Similarly, Tahir Monguno, the Chief Whip of the Senate, solicited broader support for the constitutional alteration to help respond decisively to security challenges within sub-national territories.