ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police across the country, in what observers describe as a major step toward restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal and institutional framework for the creation, regulation, and operation of state police forces within the federation.

The move is expected to reignite national debate on policing, federalism, and security management as the country continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality.

President Tinubu has repeatedly advocated for constitutional reforms that would grant states greater responsibility in maintaining security and public order. He has argued that the current centralized policing system is overstretched and insufficient to effectively address the diverse security challenges facing different parts of the country.

Speaking on previous occasions, the President emphasized that empowering state governments with their own police structures would improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to security threats, and strengthen community policing efforts.

Supporters of state police believe the initiative will bring law enforcement closer to the people, improve accountability, and enable states to tackle security concerns based on their unique local realities.

However, critics have expressed concerns that state police could be abused by state governments for political purposes if adequate safeguards are not built into the law.

The bill will now undergo legislative scrutiny in the National Assembly, where lawmakers are expected to examine its provisions, debate its merits, and consider its implications for Nigeria’s federal system.

For the bill to become law, it must secure approval by the National Assembly and receive the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly, as required for constitutional amendments.

If passed, the legislation would represent one of the most significant reforms to Nigeria’s security framework since the return to democratic governance in 1999.

Political analysts say the outcome of the legislative process could shape the future of policing and internal security management in Nigeria for decades to come.