More States Clear Police Bill

Ten state assemblies have passed the State Police Bill transmitted to them by the National Assembly for concurrence.

As of Tuesday, the states that have approved the bill are Edo, Oyo, Zamfara, Rivers, Delta, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, Nasarawa and Osun.

Reports from Kano, Borno, and Katsina indicate the bill has reached an advanced stage.

The Kano State House of Assembly has referred the bill to its relevant committee for consideration.

The Assembly’s Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini, who represents Dala Local Government Area, confirmed the development in an interview with Daily Trust.

He said the request was transmitted from the office of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and presented before lawmakers during plenary.

According to him, the Assembly has not taken a position on the matter, as the proposal is currently before the committee for scrutiny and recommendations.

Hussaini said the issue requires careful consideration and consultations with relevant stakeholders, stressing that lawmakers would not rush to make a decision.

The Katsina State House of Assembly has referred the bill to a special committee for scrutiny, marking a significant step towards the establishment of a legal framework for state policing in the state.

The Speaker, Nasiru Yahaya Daura, disclosed this in a telephone interview with Daily Trust in Katsina, explaining that the bill had been formally presented on the floor of the Assembly before being referred to the committee for detailed examination.

He assured that the Assembly would ensure seamless deliberations and expedite the legislative process to facilitate the speedy passage of the proposed law.

According to him, the referral would allow the committee to examine the provisions of the bill before submitting its findings and recommendations to the House for further consideration.

The committee’s report is expected to guide subsequent deliberations by lawmakers as they consider the proposed legal framework for the establishment and operation of state police in Katsina.

Legislative sources in Borno State confirmed that the bill was formally tabled before the lawmakers, where it is expected to undergo first and second readings, public hearings, and clause-by-clause scrutiny for a final vote.

What is the bill all about?

The bill seeks to decentralise policing to allow each state to establish its own police service.

It will also establish an operational framework for recruitment, training, funding, oversight, and cooperation between federal and state police services.

The National Assembly transmitted the bill to state legislatures on September 16, 2026, following its passage by the Senate on June 24 and the House of Representatives on July 23.

Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that any alteration to the constitution must receive the approval of at least two-thirds of all state houses of assembly.

This means 24 of the 36 states must pass the bill for it to scale through.

Some critics have opposed the proposal, saying it might be abused by the state governors.

Both the Presidency and the legislature have allayed the fear over the bill, assuring that there are provisions to safeguard it from abuse.

Last week, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the state police bill is progressing in the state assemblies.

Gbajabiamila provided the update after a meeting of the Presidential Working Group, which he chairs.

National Assembly awaits bill

Meanwhile, the Senate has said the state police bill will be passed as soon as they receive endorsements from the state assemblies.

Senate spokesperson, Yomi Adaramodu, while fielding questions from journalists during the Senate Press Corps workshop in Abuja, said the National Assembly had already done the necessary legislative process and was only awaiting the passage of the bill by the state assemblies.

He said once the required 24 states approve the bill, the National Assembly will give the final passage.

He said once that is done, it will be forwarded to the executive for signing.