Lagos Assembly Supports State Police Bill for Autonomy

The Lagos State House of Assembly has unanimously passed a bill proposing the establishment of State Police, in accordance with the constitutional amendment bill from the National Assembly. This decision was announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, during a plenary session on Tuesday, where lawmakers reconvened early from recess to address the bill.

Obasa noted that the establishment of State Police has been a recurring topic from the fifth to the 10th Assembly, aimed at enhancing security and protecting lives and property. He expressed concerns that issues regarding control and the relationship between federal and state policing have not been sufficiently addressed.

The proposed constitutional amendment, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Act, 2026, seeks to establish the State Police Service. Obasa called for clear definitions of state police responsibilities and provisions for State legislatures, as well as a parliamentary police to safeguard legislative independence.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for their roles in the amendment process.