House of Representatives Advances State Police Bill Amid Security Crisis

The House of Representatives has moved forward with a constitutional amendment bill designed to create independent police forces under state government control. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers have sponsored the legislation, which targets the fragmented security landscape affecting communities nationwide.

The bill proposes changes to the constitutional framework governing law enforcement structure in the country. The proposed amendment seeks to modify existing constitutional provisions to allow individual states to establish and manage their own police agencies, shifting away from the current centralized policing model.

Lawmakers argue that the present constitutional arrangement has proven inadequate for addressing security challenges across Nigeria's diverse regions. The decentralization approach aims to enable state governments to respond more effectively to local security threats.

The House passed the bill and scheduled it for second reading. Following approval by the lower chamber, the legislation must advance to the Senate.

If the Senate approves, the amendment will be transmitted to all 36 state house assemblies for consideration. Constitutional amendments in Nigeria require ratification by at least two-thirds of state legislatures before being forwarded to the President for formal assent.

The initiative represents one of several legislative responses to Nigeria's ongoing security challenges, which have prompted calls for reformed approaches to law enforcement and crime prevention. Lawmakers have emphasized their oversight role in proposing legislative solutions to address root causes of insecurity.

The bill's progression through parliament marks a significant step in the broader effort to restructure the country's policing framework, though final approval depends on completing the multi-stage legislative and ratification process.