The push for the creation of state police has gained fresh momentum as the Osun State House of Assembly has approved the proposed constitutional amendment. This development follows a clarification by the National Assembly that the State Police Services Bill is the only constitutional amendment proposal so far transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly. The bill seeks to provide for the establishment of State Police Services in response to widespread public concerns over security and policing in the country.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, made the clarification in a statement, recalling that the National Assembly had, on September 16, 2026, announced the transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026. Ogunlana emphasized that it is only this particular Constitution Alteration Bill that has so far been transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly. He also stated that other constitutional amendment bills would be sent to the state legislatures after being passed in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly.
In Osun, lawmakers unanimously approved the State Police Services Bill after deliberating on the proposal during Tuesday’s plenary. The Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, read a letter from the National Assembly requesting the state Houses of Assembly to consider and approve the proposed constitutional amendment. Several lawmakers, including Lawrence Adeoti and Taofeek Olayiwola, backed the bill, arguing that state police would strengthen security, particularly at the state and local government levels.
The Majority Leader, Babajide Kofoworola, subsequently moved a motion for the House to support the amendment, which was seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi. The approval of the bill in Osun is seen as a significant step towards the creation of state police. The bill is expected to enable states to respond more effectively to security challenges within their jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, in Zamfara, the State House of Assembly commenced consideration of the bill during Tuesday’s plenary. The Director of Legislative Matters, Yusuf Sabo Tsafe, confirmed the development and expressed confidence that the House would consider and pass the proposal. Similarly, the Sokoto State House of Assembly began consideration of the bill, with the proposal undergoing its First Reading on Tuesday.
In Bauchi, the State House of Assembly received the bill and constituted an ad hoc committee to study it and make recommendations. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Jamilu Ummaru Dahiru, and has been given two weeks to examine the bill and submit its report. The consideration of the bill in these states is seen as a significant development in the push for the creation of state police.
The approval and consideration of the State Police Services Bill in several states are seen as major steps towards the creation of state police. The bill aims to strengthen the country’s security architecture, particularly at the state and local government levels. The National Assembly’s transmission of the bill to the state Houses of Assembly is part of the constitutional amendment process.
Key points
- The Osun State House of Assembly has approved the proposed constitutional amendment for state police.
- Lawmakers in Zamfara and Sokoto have commenced consideration of the bill.
- The creation of state police aims to strengthen the country’s security architecture, particularly at the state and local government levels.
