The House of Representatives is expected to take a decisive step toward restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture on Thursday as lawmakers prepare to vote on a constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police across the country.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, announced the development during a briefing with journalists shortly after plenary on Wednesday, describing the proposal as a critical response to the nation’s escalating security challenges.
According to him, the House has resolved to prioritise the state police amendment above other constitutional review proposals currently before the National Assembly, reflecting the urgency attached to addressing insecurity.
The bill, jointly sponsored by the deputy speaker and 14 other lawmakers, seeks to amend the Constitution to formally establish state and community policing structures.
The proposal comes amid increasing concerns over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s centralised policing system in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Kalu said lawmakers had concluded that legislative intervention had become necessary as insecurity continues to threaten lives and property across the federation.
He noted that while the legislature would continue to engage security agencies through oversight functions, it also has a responsibility to strengthen the country’s security framework through constitutional reforms.
“When we say that the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government, the legislature must also play its part. Beyond summoning service chiefs and relevant agencies, there is a need for us to deploy legislative tools to bridge the gaps in the nation’s security framework,” he said.
The deputy speaker expressed confidence that the amendment would receive strong backing in the House, dismissing reports suggesting that the proposal was facing opposition.
“Hope is coming. By tomorrow, we will be amending the constitution by prioritising state police. We will vote on state police. Nobody is stopping it,” Kalu declared.
He added that extensive consultations had already been conducted with key stakeholders, including the Inspector-General of Police, the executive arm of government and governors of all 36 states, all of whom he said had indicated support for the initiative.
According to him, existing constitutional provisions, particularly Section 214 and related sections governing policing in Nigeria, are inadequate for a decentralised security framework capable of responding effectively to modern security threats.
“We have discovered that leaving the law as it is will not give us the expected results Nigerians desire. Therefore, we have prioritised constitutional amendments aimed at unbundling security-related challenges through legislation targeting state policing,” he said.
Kalu further assured Nigerians that the House remained united behind the proposal and determined to ensure its passage.
“We are here to announce to Nigerians that hope is coming. Hope for a better response time to incidents of crime is here. By tomorrow, we will be voting on the constitutional amendment, and we are prioritising state police.
“We have read reports that some people are trying to stop it, but the Parliament is marching forward, and by tomorrow, we will be concluding on this. There is nobody stopping us from moving ahead with state police,” he added.
The deputy speaker also expressed optimism that once approved by the National Assembly, the amendment would secure swift ratification by state Houses of Assembly, citing what he described as widespread support among governors.
“We are hopeful that after the exercise tomorrow, the amendment will be transmitted to the states and, judging by the body language of the 36 governors who support state police, they will work with their Houses of Assembly to ensure quick ratification before it is transmitted to Mr President for assent,” he said.
Kalu urged lawmakers currently engaged in oversight assignments across the country to return to Abuja for the plenary session, stressing that the vote represents a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to tackle insecurity.
“We want all members to be in the chamber tomorrow to demonstrate to Nigerians that security remains a top priority on our agenda and that the House stands firmly behind the establishment of state police,” he said.
The renewed push for state policing comes against the backdrop of persistent security concerns across Nigeria, including rising incidents of kidnapping, insurgency and armed attacks in several regions.
Earlier this week, the House summoned service chiefs and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to explain the worsening security situation in the country.
Support for state police has also gained traction at the highest levels of government.
In December, Bola Tinubu publicly endorsed the idea, describing it as a measure that could significantly improve security and law enforcement across the federation.
