The spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Mr Akin Rotimi, has stated that the push for state police can only become a reality through an amendment to the 1999 Constitution, emphasising that no rollout can occur without legislative approval by the National Assembly.
His remarks come amid intensifying national conversations about decentralising policing as Nigeria battles persistent insecurity, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal violence in various states.
In an interview on Thursday, Rotimi stressed that implementation cannot proceed until the constitutional requirements are fulfilled.
“With respect to reports that the Inspector-General of Police has set up an implementation committee, it is important to clarify that the establishment of state police requires constitutional alteration.
“Until the relevant provisions of the Constitution are amended and duly passed by the National Assembly and ratified by the requisite number of State Houses of Assembly, implementation in the strict legal sense cannot commence.
“Preparatory policy conversations and institutional reflections are not unusual in matters of this magnitude, especially considering that Mr President has expressed his support for the bill. However, any formal implementation must strictly align with the final constitutional framework as enacted.”
The Ekiti lawmaker explained that state police is among the major proposals under consideration in the ongoing constitutional amendment exercise.
“The issue of state police is currently before the National Assembly as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process. It is one of the over 40 Constitution alteration bills that will be coming up for voting in the House of Representatives in the coming weeks.
“I am one of the three principal sponsors of the various state police bills that were consolidated into a single draft through the harmonisation process undertaken by the House Committee on Constitution Review. The process has been thorough and inclusive.
“The Nigeria Police Force was among the critical stakeholders consulted during our nationwide public hearings, alongside other security agencies, state governments, civil society organisations, and members of the public.
“Under the leadership of Benjamin Kalu, the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, the House has maintained a transparent and consultative approach to this reform,” he added.
Rotimi noted that lawmakers are handling the proposal carefully to ensure strong protections against potential misuse. He said the intention is to craft a structure that improves grassroots security responses while maintaining accountability and national unity.
“The goal of the parliamentary engagement is to ensure that any constitutional provision establishing state police is carefully structured, with clear safeguards, defined jurisdictional boundaries, funding mechanisms, accountability frameworks, and federal oversight where necessary.
“The National Assembly is actively progressing with the bill, and the matter remains within the constitutional process. We are committed to delivering reforms that strengthen security while preserving national cohesion and constitutional order,” he added.
For years, governors, traditional leaders, civil society groups and security analysts have advocated for state police, arguing that a centralised system is overstretched and ineffective in addressing local threats across Nigeria’s 36 states.
Nigeria currently operates a single federal policing system under the Nigeria Police Force, which critics argue is insufficient for a population exceeding 200 million and facing complex security challenges. Supporters of decentralisation believe state-controlled policing would enable tailored, community-focused strategies.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu endorsed the initiative and urged lawmakers to fast-track the constitutional amendments needed to establish state police formations. Speaking while breaking the Ramadan fast with Muslim and Christian legislators, he said:
“What I will ask for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear,” the President said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has inaugurated a steering committee to examine policing models both within Nigeria and internationally as part of broader reform discussions. The panel is expected to assess community security demands, suggest operational structures for state policing and consider recruitment, training and resource issues.
