The National Assembly of Nigeria is set to resume plenary today with several pressing national issues on the agenda. The proposed establishment of state police, the recent deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State, and ongoing constitutional reforms are expected to be top priorities.
According to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate will prioritize constitutional amendments and major national challenges upon resumption. The proposed state police is one of the issues requiring legislative attention, with the bill having been sent to the state Houses of Assembly.
The National Assembly had transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeking to establish State Police Services, to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16. This move follows renewed calls for a decentralized policing structure amid persistent security challenges across the country.
The State Police Bill has already begun receiving attention from state legislatures, with the Rivers State House of Assembly approving the bill on Monday, becoming the third state after Osun and Edo to do so. The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create a legal framework for state police while retaining the Nigeria Police Force at the federal level.
The death of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in NSCDC custody in Niger State is also expected to attract legislative scrutiny. A National Assembly source said both chambers were expected to deliberate on the incident following President Bola Tinubu's directive for a comprehensive investigation.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announcing the committee after the President directed a comprehensive, transparent, and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The National Assembly will also revisit electoral reforms and other pressing national issues as both chambers return from recess. The legislature clarified last week that the State Police Bill was the only constitutional amendment proposal transmitted to the state legislatures so far, with the remaining Constitution Alteration Bills to be transmitted after both chambers have passed them in identical form.
Key points
- The National Assembly will prioritize the proposed establishment of state police and constitutional reforms.
- The State Police Bill has been approved by three states so far, including Rivers, Osun, and Edo.
- The National Assembly will investigate the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
