Senate Proposes Bill to Decentralize Police in Nigeria

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, the Nigerian Senate, led by Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed measures to prevent governors from abusing state police powers through proposed constitutional amendments. The amendments aim to create a decentralized police structure across Nigeria, ensuring that state governors cannot deploy state police for partisan, ethnic, or religious purposes.

The bill was passed following a rigorous voting process, requiring a two-thirds majority in the Senate. It seeks to establish state police services that can enforce state laws and maintain public safety while retaining the federal police's responsibilities for national security matters.

The bill also outlines the conditions under which federal police may intervene in state security issues, such as serious violations of fundamental rights or threats to national security. Support for the bill was voiced by various senators, including Enyinnaya Abaribe and Tahir Monguno, emphasizing the necessity of state police to address local security challenges effectively.

The proposed amendments require approval from the House of Representatives and presidential assent to become law.