President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate, proposing the establishment of state police across Nigeria.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed this during Tuesday’s plenary session, noting that lawmakers would begin consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment on Wednesday.
He also said state assemblies are expected to review the proposal on the same day they receive it.
The bill seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for state-level policing nationwide.
The initiative comes amid renewed calls from the President for constitutional changes that would allow states greater responsibility in managing security within their jurisdictions.
Earlier in February, Tinubu urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, describing it as essential in addressing terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges.
In his Democracy Day remarks, the President pledged stronger action against insecurity, saying terrorists, bandits, and their sponsors would face full legal consequences.
Tinubu claimed that over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised within the past year, adding that terrorism-related deaths had declined compared to previous years.
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However, he acknowledged that the ongoing captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states remains a major national concern.
The state police proposal has recently gained traction, with both chambers of the National Assembly advancing constitutional amendment efforts aimed at decentralising policing powers.
The Senate is also expected to hold an emergency plenary session today as lawmakers move to fast-track the bill, which is being described as one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history.