From Tongnaan Bawa, Plateau
The Plateau State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, supporting constitutional amendments aimed at decentralising policing and strengthening security at the community level.
The endorsement followed the adoption of recommendations by the House Ad-hoc Committee on the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, during Monday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Naanlong Daniel.
The bill, transmitted to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, seeks to establish state police services alongside the Federal Police Service through constitutional amendments.
Presenting the committee’s report, its chairman, Prof. Theodore Bala Maiyaki, who represents Qua’an-Pan South Constituency, said the proposed reform was necessary to address prevailing security challenges and improve policing at the grassroots.
Maiyaki identified manpower shortages in the Nigeria Police Force and the need for effective community-based policing as major reasons for supporting the amendment.
He explained that the proposed framework would establish federal and state police services, with provisions for human rights protection, operational standards, accountability and coordination between the two levels of policing.
Plateau Assembly: State Police Amendment Targets Grassroots Security
The committee said state police could improve responses to security threats, particularly in communities where local knowledge and timely intervention are essential to preventing and managing crises.
It added that stronger policing arrangements could help protect lives and property, improve public safety and create a more conducive environment for socioeconomic development.
Following deliberations, lawmakers adopted the committee’s recommendations and voted in support of the proposed constitutional alteration.
The endorsement forms part of the constitutional amendment process, which requires approval from at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies before a constitutional alteration can proceed.
Read Also: State police should take off after 2027 elections – Peter Obi
The proposed establishment of state police remains a major issue in national security discussions, amid concerns about the capacity of the centralised policing system to address the country’s diverse security challenges.
However, implementation would depend on the successful completion of the constitutional amendment process and the introduction of safeguards to promote accountability and prevent the abuse of police powers.
Speaker Daniel commended the ad-hoc committee for its work and thanked lawmakers for their patience, commitment and sacrifices in considering the proposed amendment.
The proposed legislations will proceed to subsequent stages of consideration in accordance with the House’s rules and procedures.