The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the state police bill, marking a major step in the push to decentralise policing in Nigeria.
The resolution followed a vote during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. According to Abbas, “288 lawmakers voted in support of the bill, while four were against it,” after a day of debate on the proposal.
Lawmakers adopted a voice vote by show of hands, with the Speaker explaining that the electronic voting system was not functional.
The bill seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by introducing an additional layer of policing. It also provides constitutional safeguards, clearly defined operational frameworks, oversight mechanisms, and a delineation of powers between federal and state policing authorities.
Earlier, the House released the final print of the Constitution Alteration Bills aimed at creating a legal framework for state police, among other reforms.
In a statement, House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi said the bills reflect months of legislative work by the Committee on Constitution Review. He noted that the process followed submissions from lawmakers, government institutions, professional bodies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and citizens.
The statement added that the review involved “extensive stakeholder engagement through zonal and national public hearings, consultative meetings, expert sessions, and town hall engagements held across the six geopolitical zones, ensuring broad-based citizen participation and input.”
The vote comes amid worsening insecurity in parts of the country, with renewed concerns over kidnappings and violent attacks.
Meanwhile, the Senate has passed the bill for second reading. Debate has been referred to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review.
During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said lawmakers would vote on the bill at a subsequent sitting.
For the bill to take effect, it must be passed by the Senate and approved by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly, as it requires an amendment to the Constitution.
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