The House of Representatives has passed the first and second readings of the Executive-sponsored State Police Bill, withdrawing the version it passed earlier
The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider the executive bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The development emerged during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the executive-sponsored state police bill its first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
The decision effectively puts the House’s earlier proposal—which had been passed about a month ago—on hold, as lawmakers shift attention to the executive-backed constitutional amendment.
The committee is expected to subject the bill to detailed scrutiny before it returns to the House for further legislative consideration.
The development follows the Senate’s passage of the executive state police bill three weeks ago after President Tinubu transmitted the proposed constitutional amendment to the National Assembly as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
With the Senate’s approval, the proposed legislation seeks to replace the current Nigeria Police Force framework with a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
The bill scaled second reading after Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, presented its general principles. It was subsequently considered clause-by-clause and passed third reading after securing the support of more than two-thirds of senators.
One of the key provisions empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the State Houses of Assembly.
Under Clause 17 of the proposed constitutional amendment, “A State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police of the State appointed by the Governor of the State on the recommendation of the National Police Council, subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly of the State and to such qualifications and national minimum standards as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.”
The bill also outlines the operational relationship between governors and state police commands.
Section 17(6) provides that “a governor may issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to the Commissioner of Police on matters relating to the maintenance of public safety and public order within the state.”
To address concerns over potential abuse of the proposed policing structure, lawmakers incorporated safeguards aimed at protecting political freedoms and civil liberties.
Section 17(7) specifically states that “a state Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any person, political party or group merely for criticizing the government except in accordance with the law.”
The provision is intended to prevent state police formations from being deployed against political opponents, activists, journalists and other dissenting voices while ensuring that any enforcement action complies with due process and existing laws.
The proposed amendment also defines the circumstances under which the Federal Police Service may intervene in the affairs of a state.
Section 214 provides that “The Federal Police Service may temporarily intervene in the internal security affairs of a State and may, to the extent necessary, assume specified operational responsibility, including temporary operational command of a State Police Service or any part thereof, only where – (a) there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order or public safety which the State Police Service is unable or unwilling to contain; (b) the Governor of the State requests federal intervention…”
The bill further stipulates that “An intervention under subsection (10) of this section shall be authorised in writing by the President and shall state the grounds, territory, functions and duration of the intervention; and notice of the intervention shall be given to the Governor of the State, the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the State, the National Police Council and the National Assembly within forty-eight hours of the start of any intervention. (13) No intervention under subsection (10) of this section shall continue beyond such period as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly unless approved by resolution of the Senate in the manner prescribed by that Act.”
President Tinubu, while transmitting the bill to the National Assembly, said the amendment would provide the legal framework for a dual policing system that allows states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Federal Police Service.
According to the President, the proposed amendment is a critical component of ongoing efforts to reorganise Nigeria’s policing system, enhance security and better protect citizens. He added that communities, municipalities and local government areas would play more active roles in policing responsibilities under the new arrangement.
The executive bill represents the government’s latest effort to create a constitutional framework for state policing, a proposal that has gained widespread support as a response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
While proponents argue that state police would strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering, improve community policing and enable faster responses to crime and emergencies, critics have warned of possible political interference by governors, funding challenges and the potential to inflame ethnic or communal tensions.
The renewed legislative push comes amid persistent concerns over insecurity, banditry and mass kidnappings across several parts of the country.
