Nigeria’s Senate says it will complete amendments to the 1999 Constitution to allow for the creation of state police before the end of 2026, according to Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu.
Adaramodu revealed that the upper chamber will resume work on the constitutional review when plenary reconvenes next week, following a request by President Bola Tinubu for lawmakers to begin the amendment process as part of efforts to address insecurity.
Speaking during an interfaith breaking of fast at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged lawmakers to consider how best to incorporate state police into the constitution to improve security nationwide.
The president also asked members of the House of Representatives to include safeguards against potential abuse by state governors, emphasizing that the system must include checks and balances.
Adaramodu said the Senate would fast-track the amendment, noting that much of the groundwork had already been completed before lawmakers shifted focus to electoral reforms and the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
“We are going to commence the process of reviewing the constitution for the establishment of state police immediately we resume next week,” he said, adding that lawmakers aim to conclude the process before campaigning begins ahead of the next general election.
He said consultations have been held nationwide, including stakeholder meetings across geopolitical zones, and that the constitution review committee has compiled its findings.
Adaramodu described state police as widely supported by key stakeholders, including the presidency, state governors and the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and pan-Yoruba group Afenifere called for safeguards to prevent abuse of state police powers.
Miyetti Allah President Baba Ngelzarma said decentralizing policing could help address a shortage of security personnel but warned that recruitment must reflect ethnic and religious diversity to avoid domination by any group.
He also cautioned that politicians could exploit state police against opponents and urged lawmakers to establish federal oversight and penalties for misuse.
Afenifere spokesman Jare Ajayi said state police could help tackle local crimes but stressed the need for legal provisions allowing citizens to challenge abuses in court.
In a separate comment, All Progressives Congress chieftain Ayodele Arise said the amendment could begin with revising Section 214 of the constitution to move policing to the concurrent legislative list, allowing both federal and state police structures.
Arise expressed confidence that the amendment could be completed within months, citing the ruling party’s majority in the National Assembly and control of most states, while also supporting oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse.
