World
Multiple Nigerian state assemblies approve state police bill
At least nine state assemblies in Nigeria have passed a constitutional amendment bill to establish state police, with the measure requiring support from 24 of the country's 36 states to become law.
The state assemblies of Enugu, Plateau, Cross River, Ogun, Taraba, Nasarawa, Anambra, and Ekiti have all approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to create a legal framework for establishing state police services alongside the existing Nigeria Police Service. According to one report, Nasarawa's approval brought the total number of state assemblies endorsing the proposed amendment to 12.
In Cross River, all 22 lawmakers present at the assembly voted in favour of the bill, with none opposing it. The state assembly passed the measure on Tuesday. Similarly, in Ekiti, all 21 members present supported the passage during second and third readings.
The bill was presented to the Taraba Assembly by Majority Leader Jethro Zikengyu and laid before the House by Speaker John Bonzena, where lawmakers unanimously approved it on Tuesday. In Plateau, Speaker Naanlong Daniel presided over the sitting at which the lawmakers endorsed the bill.
The proposed establishment of state police seeks to provide a constitutional framework for decentralised policing. According to reports from Cross River, the push for state police is aimed at addressing insecurity through a decentralised policing system.
The constitutional amendment still requires approval from a total of 24 of Nigeria's 36 state assemblies to proceed. Once that threshold is reached, the measure will also need the signature of the president to become law.
The National Assembly had previously approved the constitution amendment bill to establish state police, setting the stage for ratification by individual state legislatures across the country.