The Lagos State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police, describing it as a landmark step to tackle the country’s worsening security challenges.
During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers debated the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to decentralise policing. The House subsequently urged all 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite consideration of the bill.
Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, commended President Bola Tinubu, the Senate and the House of Representatives for advancing the proposal, stating that it is one of the most significant reforms for the country.
Obasa said the creation of state police would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and enhance efforts to combat kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes threatening lives and property across the country.
While expressing strong support for the initiative, the Speaker called for greater clarity regarding the constitutional provisions that empower the Federal Government to intervene in the operations of state police services.
According to him, the proposed amendment should clearly define the circumstances under which the Federal Government can intervene, particularly where a state’s policing capacity is deemed inadequate.
Obasa argued that states should retain full authority over the administration of their police services, including recruitment, appointments and other operational matters. He maintained that governors should appoint Commissioners of State Police, subject to confirmation by their respective State Houses of Assembly.
He also advocated legislative screening and confirmation of senior state police officers, including Area Commanders, to ensure greater accountability through elected representatives.
Addressing concerns that state police could be misused for political purposes, Obasa said such fears should not derail the reform, noting that allegations of political interference have also been made against the existing centrally controlled policing system.
“The solution is to enact strong laws that guarantee accountability and prevent abuse, rather than reject the establishment of state police,” he said.
The Speaker urged all State Houses of Assembly to expedite consideration of the Constitution Alteration Bill, describing the proposed state police system as a critical reform that could significantly improve security across the federation.
Earlier, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi-Isolo 1) moved a motion in support of the establishment of state police.
Presenting the motion, Ogundipe noted that Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution currently recognises only the Nigeria Police Force, but recalled that ongoing constitutional amendments seek to decentralise policing by creating state police.
He further observed that the National Assembly had passed the Constitution Alteration Bill after securing the constitutionally required majority in both chambers.
The House commended President Tinubu, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly for their roles in advancing the constitutional amendment.
Lawmakers unanimously agreed that state police would complement the Nigeria Police Force by strengthening community policing and addressing the country’s worsening security challenges.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate also endorsed the Speaker’s recommendations and expressed support for establishing state police.