The Lagos State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police, urging that state governments should have full authority over the administration of their police services as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
The resolution followed deliberations during Wednesday’s plenary on the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation.
Speaking during the debate, Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, described the proposal as a landmark reform that would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve efforts to combat kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
Obasa commended President Bola Tinubu, the Senate and the House of Representatives for advancing the constitutional amendment, describing it as one of the most significant security reforms in the country’s history.
While expressing strong support for state police, the Speaker called for clearer constitutional provisions defining the circumstances under which the Federal Government can intervene in the operations of state police services.
He argued that states should retain full authority over the administration of their police formations, including recruitment, appointments and other operational matters. According to him, governors should appoint Commissioners of State Police, subject to confirmation by their respective State Houses of Assembly.
“When you look at the current police structure in Nigeria, you have the Inspector-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General, Commissioners of Police, and other officers. The same structure should apply to state police.
Obasa also proposed that senior officers, including Area Commanders, should undergo legislative screening and confirmation to strengthen accountability and oversight through elected representatives.
“Where Commissioners of Police are appointed to serve in a state, they should be accountable to the people through their elected representatives. The House of Assembly represents the people and serves as their voice. Therefore, senior police officers, including Area Commanders who oversee the day-to-day activities of police officers across various commands and areas, should also be subject to legislative screening and confirmation where applicable.
“I believe this is a very good initiative, and I have no doubt that it will address many of the security challenges we currently face. At the same time, we must not unnecessarily restrict the powers of the institution in matters of recruitment, administration, and other operational responsibilities. The states should be allowed to exercise appropriate control over their police services.
*While the Federal Government may still intervene when necessary, such intervention must be clearly defined within the law, he said.
Addressing concerns that state police could be abused for political purposes, the Speaker maintained that such fears should not hinder the reform, noting that similar allegations have been levelled against the existing centrally controlled policing system.
He stressed that the appropriate response is to enact strong legal safeguards that promote accountability and prevent abuse rather than reject the establishment of state police.
Obasa further urged all 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite consideration of the Constitution Alteration Bill to facilitate its passage and implementation.
Earlier, the Majority Leader representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I, Stephen Ogundipe, moved a motion supporting 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 explained that the ongoing constitutional amendment seeks to decentralise policing through the creation of state police.
He added that the National Assembly had already passed the Constitution Alteration Bill after securing the required constitutional majority in both chambers.
The Assembly 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 improving responses to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Other members who participated in the debate also endorsed the Speaker’s recommendations and expressed support for the proposed establishment of state police before the House adjourned plenary sine die.
About The Author
