Tinubu Advocates for State Police Constitutional Amendment

On Wednesday night, President Bola Tinubu called on the National Assembly to initiate the process of amending the constitution to permit the establishment of state police. This appeal was made during an interfaith break fast at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he described Nigeria's security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and insurgency, as extreme.

Tinubu emphasized that the constitutional amendment is imperative for enhancing security, particularly in areas plagued by marauding bandits. He urged the Senate to consider incorporating state police into the constitution to enable governors to have direct control over security operations, allowing for quicker responses to local threats.

The establishment of state police requires a constitutional amendment that must pass through both chambers of the National Assembly and be ratified by at least 24 of the 36 state houses of assembly. Tinubu's appeal follows a similar pledge made by state governors during an iftar dinner, where they vowed to establish state police to combat insecurity.