The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish state police services across the country, a major milestone in ongoing efforts to decentralise policing and tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

The proposed legislation introduces a dual policing framework comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, effectively replacing the existing structure under which policing is exclusively controlled by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force.

The bill was passed after Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, presented its general principles on the floor of the Red Chamber.

It subsequently scaled second reading, underwent a rigorous clause-by-clause consideration and was passed for third reading after securing the support of more than two-thirds of the senators.

A key provision of the constitutional amendment empowers governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.

Clause 17 of the bill provides that a State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Police Council and confirmed by the House of Assembly of the state.

The proposed law further defines the operational relationship between governors and state police commands, allowing governors to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to Commissioners of Police on matters relating to the maintenance of public safety and order within their states.

To address widespread concerns over possible abuse of the proposed policing structure, lawmakers incorporated safeguards aimed at protecting political freedoms and civil liberties.

The bill expressly states that a state Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any individual, political party or group merely for criticising the government, except in accordance with the law.

The provision is intended to prevent state police formations from being used to intimidate political opponents, activists, journalists and other dissenting voices while ensuring that all actions taken conform with due process.

The amendment also empowers the Federal Police Service to temporarily intervene in the internal security affairs of a state where there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order or public safety which the state police are unable or unwilling to contain.

Such intervention must be authorised in writing by the President, who is required to state the grounds, territorial scope, functions and duration of the operation.

The President must also notify the governor, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, the National Police Council and the National Assembly within 48 hours of the commencement of the intervention.

The bill further provides that no federal intervention shall continue beyond a period to be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly unless approved by a resolution of the Senate.

The Senate’s approval came barely a day after President Bola Tinubu transmitted the bill to the National Assembly as part of his administration’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to the President, the proposed amendment is designed to provide a legal framework for a dual policing structure that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the federal police.

Tinubu said the proposal is a critical component of ongoing efforts to reorganise the country’s policing system, enhance security and better protect citizens, adding that communities, municipalities and local government areas would play more active roles in policing responsibilities under the new arrangement.

The renewed push for state police comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, banditry and mass kidnappings across parts of the country.

Supporters of the proposal argue that decentralised policing would strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering, deepen community-based security initiatives and ensure quicker responses to crimes and emergencies.

Critics, however, have cautioned against possible political interference by governors, funding challenges and the risk of exacerbating ethnic or communal tensions.

Tinubu had earlier described state police as inevitable in addressing the nation’s security challenges and urged lawmakers to fast-track constitutional amendments aimed at bringing the proposal to fruition.

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.

The proposed legislation, contained in a communication dated June 15, 2026, was read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Tinubu said the bill was aimed at providing a legal framework for a dual policing structure that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the President, the proposed amendment forms a key component of ongoing efforts to restructure the country’s policing system to improve security and enhance the protection of lives and property.

He explained that under the arrangement, communities, municipalities and local government areas would play more active roles in policing, enabling local authorities to detect suspicious activities and promptly relay intelligence to security agencies.

Following the presentation, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review and directed it to report back on Wednesday.

Speaking on the importance of community-based policing, the Senate President said local authorities were better placed to identify security threats and support proactive responses by law enforcement agencies.

“You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” he said.

Akpabio expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms would ensure the successful passage and implementation of the initiative.

He disclosed that the process would be undertaken in phases through constitutional amendments and subsequent Acts of Parliament.

“We will do it in two phases through alteration and an Act of Parliament. There will be a lot of safeguards; let us come and do this important task. It is extremely important that we come tomorrow,” he said.

The Senate President also informed lawmakers that plenary would not entertain other major business following the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Yahaya Tongo of Gombe State.

Similarly, the Senate Leader urged senators to attend the next sitting, stressing the significance of the proposed state police framework.

“We need a minimum of two-thirds of members to vote on constitutional alterations. The issue of state police is non-partisan and cuts across geopolitical zones and interests,” he said.

The latest development came barely two weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading.

Akpabio said the fresh Constitution Alteration Bill transmitted by the President builds on the earlier proposal and seeks to provide the constitutional foundation necessary for the establishment and operation of state police services across the country.

It was a night of sorrow and devastation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as a horrific multiple-vehicle crash along the Ibadan axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed at least five lives and left eight others injured in a fiery chain collision involving trucks, tankers, and smaller vehicles.

The accident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday around the Satguru Maharaji Ji Village axis, just before the Ibadan Toll Gate, throwing the busy highway into chaos as flames and thick smoke engulfed the scene.

The crash involved six trucks, including gas tankers and trailer units, two Toyota Hilux vans, and two cars, according to emergency officials who described it as one of the most severe road accidents in recent times on the corridor.

Eyewitnesses said the tragedy began when one of the trucks reportedly suffered brake failure and rammed into another vehicle ahead of it, triggering a chain reaction that quickly escalated into a multi-vehicle inferno.

In moments, several vehicles were trapped in the blaze, while terrified motorists and bystanders watched helplessly as the fire spread across the expressway.

Eight persons were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the crash was caused by brake failure which spiralled into a massive fire outbreak.

“Upon arrival, we discovered that the accident involved six trucks (gas tankers and trailer trucks) and two cars, resulting in a fire outbreak,” he said.

“Five persons were recovered dead, while eight others were rescued and handed over to the team of the Federal Road Safety Corps led by SRC Adegbite from Toll Gate, Ibadan, for further medical attention at the nearest hospital.”

Firefighters eventually brought the inferno under control after hours of operation, while security operatives and traffic officials worked to clear wreckage and restore movement on the busy expressway.

Normalcy has since returned to the road, but the tragedy has left behind a grim reminder of the dangers of mechanical failure and unsafe haulage on Nigeria’s busiest highway.