Three more states – Kaduna Bayelsa and Benue – have approved the proposed sixth alteration to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and Other Related Matters.
The development brought the number of Houses of Assembly that have endorsed the State Police Bill to about 20.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly unanimously endorsed proposed amendments to 15 sections of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of state police.
The Chairman House Committee on Information Henry Marah announced this while addressing reporters on the Assembly’s proceedings in Kaduna.
Marah who represents Jaba State Constituency said the Assembly supported the proposal transmitted by the National Assembly for concurrence.
He said the proposed state police system would strengthen community security improve protection of lives and property and create employment opportunities for youths.
According to him the current security structure limits state governments’ ability to directly hold police authorities accountable for security failures.
Marah said the proposed system would provide a legal framework for community-based security initiatives and strengthen local responses to banditry and other crimes.
The committee chairman said the Assembly would formulate appropriate laws to guide the operations and welfare of state police personnel when the proposal takes effect.
He assured that funding would be prioritised even if the state had to reduce spending on other projects.
‘Without security you cannot even go to the farm or go to work’ he said stressing that protecting human lives should take precedence over infrastructure development.
The lawmaker urged residents to support the proposed state police system saying improved security would enable farmers to return to their farms and harvest their produce without fear of kidnapping.
The Bayelsa House of Assembly yesterday approved the proposed sixth alteration to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police services and other related matters.
The approval followed the transmission of the constitutional amendment bill by the National Assembly to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and endorsement.
Deputy Speaker Michael Ogbere who presided over plenary hailed fellow lawmakers for their commitment to legislative duties.
The Assembly considered the proposal during plenary in the Committee of the Whole before voting in favour of the amendment.
Ogbere stressed the importance of the Assembly’s participation in addressing the nation’s security challenges.
In Benue State the House of Assembly adopted the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill 2026 providing for the establishment of State Police in the country.
The Assembly took the decision on Tuesday at plenary presided over by Speaker Berger Alfred Emberga.
Majority Leader Peter Bemdoo Ipusu presented the Bill for debate urging members to give it accelerated consideration within the stipulated timeframe.
Leading the debate Ipusu said state policing would improve grassroots intelligence gathering ensure quicker response to security emergencies and enhance law enforcement through officers familiar with their communities.
According to him it will help address peculiar security threats such as rural banditry farmer-herder conflicts and urban crime while allowing the Nigeria Police Force to focus on national security and major crimes.
The Majority Leader added that the arrangement would also generate employment and strengthen accountability by bringing security administration closer to the people.
Speaker Emberga directed the Clerk of the Assembly to transmit the resolution to the National Assembly.