The Senate is set to pass the long-awaited State Police Bill during its emergency plenary session today, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, marking a significant step towards decentralising policing and addressing Nigeria’s persistent insecurity challenges.
Senate Spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu confirmed the development in an interview on Monday, stating that the legislation is among the top priorities for the special sitting. The emergency session was triggered by a recall of senators from recess following widespread public outcry over rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism across the country. “The Senate will be considering matters of public interest, especially national security. The State Police legislation will undoubtedly be a priority issue,” Adaramodu said.
The bill seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List. This would empower states to establish, fund, and manage their own police formations while maintaining the Nigeria Police Force at the federal level. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had earlier described the reform as critical for effective grassroots intelligence gathering and rapid response to localised threats. He noted that the proposed law includes strong safeguards such as the establishment of State Police Service Commissions and federal oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse by state governors.
If passed today, the bill will proceed to a joint conference committee with the House of Representatives for harmonisation before being transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for the required two-thirds ratification. The move comes amid mounting pressure on the National Assembly to act decisively on security. Proponents argue that the current centralised policing structure has proven inadequate in tackling diverse regional threats, from banditry in the North-West to separatist agitations in the South-East and farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central.
Critics, however, have expressed fears of potential misuse for political vendettas and the risk of creating parallel armies under state governors. The emergency session is scheduled to commence at 11am at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. This development reflects growing consensus across political lines that Nigeria’s security architecture requires urgent restructuring to restore public confidence and protect lives and property.
The proposed State Police framework is expected to allow states to recruit and deploy officers familiar with local languages, terrain, and culture, potentially improving response times and community trust. Analysts believe that if successfully passed and implemented, the reform could mark one of the most transformative changes to Nigeria’s federal structure since the return to democracy in 1999. However, its success will depend on robust safeguards, adequate funding, and effective federal-state coordination to avoid fragmentation or abuse of power.
As senators reconvene today, all eyes will be on the outcome of the debate and vote. Passage of the bill would represent a major victory for advocates of true federalism and a direct response to years of public demand for more effective policing. The development also signals the National Assembly’s willingness to respond to current realities, even as the 10th Assembly approaches the end of its tenure. Stakeholders hope the process will be concluded swiftly to allow states to begin setting up their police structures in line with constitutional requirements.
