NIGERIA: Tinubu Pushes State Police Reform As Senate Moves To Advance Constitutional Amendment

By Onoja Baba

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push for the establishment of state police has gained fresh momentum as the National Assembly intensifies efforts to amend the Constitution, paving the way for one of the most significant security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

The renewed drive follows repeated calls by the President for constitutional reforms that would empower state governments to play a greater role in securing their territories amid persistent threats posed by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Speaking in February, Tinubu urged the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments to accommodate state police, describing the reform as a critical step toward addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges.

He argued that decentralising policing would strengthen local intelligence gathering, improve rapid response capabilities and enhance collaboration between federal and state authorities.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to combating insecurity during his Democracy Day address earlier this month, declaring that terrorists, bandits and their sponsors would face the full weight of the law.

He vowed that there would be no mercy for those threatening the nation’s peace and stability.

According to Tinubu, security operations carried out over the past year have resulted in the neutralisation of more than 13,000 terrorists, while terrorism-related fatalities have declined significantly compared to previous years. Despite the reported gains, the President acknowledged that the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states remains a painful reminder that serious security challenges persist across parts of the country.

The proposal for state police has continued to gather support in recent months, with both chambers of the National Assembly advancing constitutional amendment processes aimed at decentralising policing powers. Supporters argue that state-controlled police formations would improve local security management, while critics have expressed concerns over possible political interference and abuse by state governments.

The Senate is expected to reconvene for an emergency plenary session to consider the constitutional amendment bill, as lawmakers seek to advance what many observers describe as one of the most far-reaching security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history. If approved by the National Assembly and endorsed by the required number of state Houses of Assembly, the amendment could fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s policing architecture and redefine the roles of federal and state authorities in maintaining law and order.