Nigerian Senate Passes Bill Establishing State Police Services

The Nigerian Senate passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, on June 24, 2026. Sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele on behalf of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the legislation transitions Nigeria from a unitary policing structure to a federal model. This allows states to create their own police services for local law enforcement while a Federal Police Service retains authority over national security, counter-terrorism, and cybercrime.

The passage was marked by procedural shifts, including a move from electronic to manual voting after technical failures. To prevent political abuse, the bill includes safeguards such as requiring a two-thirds majority of a state's House of Assembly to remove a Commissioner of Police and prohibiting the use of police powers for partisan purposes. Additionally, the Senate passed the Police Trust Fund Act to double statutory funding for personnel welfare and equipment.

Supporters, including several state governors and international observers, argue that decentralized policing will improve intelligence and response times to banditry and kidnapping. However, the Peoples Redemption Party and human rights lawyer Femi Falana warned that governors might weaponize these forces for political intimidation or fail to fund them effectively. To become law, the bill must be harmonized with the House of Representatives' version and receive approval from at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly.