The Senate has passed a constitutional amendment to establish state police across Nigeria, building in safeguards to prevent governors from misusing the new force for political, ethnic or personal purposes.
The Senate isn’t taking chances with state police. After passing the bill to establish it nationwide, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined safeguards to stop governors from weaponising it for partisan, ethnic, religious or personal gain, Punch reports.
The bill, transmitted by President Tinubu, keeps the Nigeria Police Force for federal duties while letting states build their own forces focused on local law enforcement and public safety.
Federal police could only step in during serious breakdowns of order, national security threats, electoral intimidation or rights violations — and only with presidential approval, Senate oversight and judicial review.
The bill passed with over two-thirds support but still needs House approval, presidential assent, and backing from state assemblies.
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