Nigerian Senate Schedules State Police Bill Passage

The Nigerian Senate has set a date for the passage of the State Police Bill, aiming for Wednesday. This bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to decentralize Nigeria's police system in response to worsening security challenges.

The Senate cut short its recess on Tuesday to consider the bill, which was transmitted by President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated June 15. The proposed legislation aims to establish a dual police system, allowing federal and state police forces to operate alongside each other.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a key step toward restructuring Nigeria's security framework. The bill has been referred to the Senate's ad hoc committee on constitutional review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who is expected to present a report for consideration and voting.

Akpabio emphasized the need for broad support for the bill, which requires the backing of at least two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly for passage.