Senate Vows To Deliver State Police in Nigeria By Year End

The Senate has committed to completing the constitutional amendment for the establishment of state police before the end of 2026. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu told Sunday PUNCH that work on the constitutional review will resume immediately when plenary reconvenes next week, following President Bola Tinubu’s request to the National Assembly to incorporate state police as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

Adaramodu assured Nigerians the process would be expedited and concluded before electioneering begins. However, stakeholders including Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Afenifere have urged lawmakers to include strong safeguards to prevent governors from abusing state police powers. Concerns raised include lopsided recruitment, potential use against political opponents, and the need for federal oversight. APC chieftain Ayodele Arise suggested moving policing to the Concurrent List and establishing oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse.

Key Points:

The commitment represents a significant step toward decentralizing Nigeria’s policing architecture after decades of centralized control.
President Tinubu’s explicit call for safeguards indicates awareness of potential gubernatorial abuse.
Stakeholder concerns reflect deep-seated fears about ethnic domination and political weaponization of state police.
The timeline, before year end, demonstrates legislative urgency amid escalating insecurity nationwide.
Moving policing to the Concurrent List would allow both federal and state forces to operate, addressing constitutional hurdles.

As the Senate fast-tracks state police creation, the critical challenge lies in crafting constitutional safeguards robust enough to prevent the very abuses citizens fear from state-level security forces.

Sources: Senate Statements, Stakeholder Reactions