Five States Approve State Police Bill Amid Deadline Pressure

As of October 15, only five State Houses of Assembly (Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, and Zamfara) have approved the proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police, despite a 30-day deadline set by the National Assembly. The bill, transmitted to the state legislatures on September 16, 2026, follows its passage in the Senate on June 24 and the House of Representatives on July 23.

The amendment aims to decentralize Nigeria's policing system and create a constitutional framework for state police services. However, 31 state legislatures are still deliberating, consulting stakeholders, or have yet to begin discussions, leaving the proposal far from the required two-thirds approval from at least 24 states.

The leadership of the House of Representatives has not issued a formal statement regarding the status of the bill. The establishment of state police is a significant topic in Nigeria's security discourse, addressing issues like banditry and terrorism, with proponents advocating for localized responses to security threats.