The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the Executive Bill to establish state police, marking a major step toward decentralising Nigeria’s security architecture.
Lawmakers withdrew their own proposed constitutional amendment and adopted the executive version following intense deliberations.
The bill now moves to the Senate for concurrence. If signed into law, state governments will have authority to create and manage their own police forces, a long-standing demand from states overwhelmed by rising insecurity.
Critics, however, warn that without proper safeguards, state police could be abused by governors. The development comes as banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes continue to stretch federal security agencies thin.
Ordinary Nigerians, tired of waiting for federal intervention, will be watching closely to see if this reform truly improves safety in their communities.
