The Nigerian Senate has voted to pass a constitutional amendment bill that permits the creation of state police services. This decision represents a significant move toward decentralizing the national security framework and enhancing regional law enforcement.
Known as the Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, the legislation creates a dual-layer system. Under this model, the existing Nigeria Police Force will transition into a Federal Police Service, functioning in tandem with individual state-run police departments.
President Bola Tinubu introduced the bill to the National Assembly in mid-June. In a communication shared by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President noted that this change aims to provide a firm legal foundation for state policing, thereby improving security management at the local level.
Proponents of the shift argue that localizing police operations will lead to better intelligence gathering and faster responses to regional threats. While the Senate has officially passed the bill, the measure must still complete remaining legislative and constitutional requirements before becoming law. The initiative responds to persistent demands from state leaders and security analysts to reform the country’s policing structure to combat rising security issues.
