Sokoto Assembly Approves State Police Bill Amid Security Concerns

The Sokoto State House of Assembly unanimously passed the State Police Bill during a plenary session on Tuesday, presided over by Speaker Alhaji Tukur Bala Bodinga. This decision aligns Sokoto with 27 other state legislatures supporting the constitutional amendment to establish state police services.

The bill, known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was transmitted by the National Assembly to all 36 state Houses of Assembly for concurrence. Deputy Majority Leader Mustapha Abdullahi (APC – Sokoto South II) moved the motion, explaining that the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create state police while retaining the Nigeria Police Force for federal responsibilities.

The bill outlines that state police will manage local law enforcement and public safety, with the head designated as the State Commander of Police, appointed by the governor. The passage of the bill brings the total number of state assemblies endorsing it to 28, surpassing the required 24 states for constitutional alteration.