President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted a constitutional amendment proposal to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria, in what is being described as one of the most significant security reforms since the return to democratic rule.

The proposed amendment aims to restructure Nigeria’s policing system by creating state-controlled police forces alongside the existing federal police. The move is intended to strengthen security operations and address persistent challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence across the country.

The initiative has already gained traction in the National Assembly. The House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill supporting the creation of state police, while the Senate has referred a similar proposal to its Constitution Review Committee for further consideration.

Under the proposal, states would be empowered to establish, fund, and operate their own police services, subject to national standards and constitutional safeguards. Supporters argue that the reform would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing, and enhance rapid response to security threats.

However, concerns remain over the possibility of political interference and the financial implications of maintaining separate police structures at the state level. Critics have called for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and prevent abuse.

If approved by the National Assembly and ratified by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly, the amendment would mark a major shift in Nigeria’s security architecture, ending decades of exclusive federal control over policing and ushering in a new era of decentralized law enforcement. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.