The Rivers State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police services across Nigeria, adding its voice to the growing push for a more decentralised policing system.
The endorsement followed the transmission of the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval. The bill specifically seeks to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment and operation of State Police Services.
The Rivers lawmakers’ position represents another step in the constitutional amendment process, which requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before the proposal can proceed to the next stage. With 36 state legislatures in the country, at least 24 are required to approve the amendment.
Supporters of the proposed reform have argued that state police could strengthen grassroots security by bringing policing closer to local communities. They contend that officers operating within their own states could have better knowledge of local communities, security threats and intelligence networks, potentially improving response to crimes and other emergencies.
The proposal is also being considered against the backdrop of persistent security challenges across different parts of Nigeria, including kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. The House of Representatives had earlier advanced the state police proposal as part of broader efforts to restructure the country’s security architecture.
Under the proposed constitutional framework, Nigeria would move towards a dual policing structure comprising the Federal Police Service and State Police Services. The Federal Police would continue to operate nationally, while states that meet the required standards would be able to establish their own police services.
The proposal, however, has generated debate over issues including funding, recruitment, training, oversight and the possibility of political interference. Some stakeholders have argued that adequate safeguards must be built into the system to ensure that state police remain professional, accountable and independent in the performance of their duties.
The Federal Government has also indicated that any state police framework should establish clear national standards covering recruitment, vetting, training, remuneration, discipline, funding, firearms control, complaints procedures and independent oversight.
The Rivers Assembly’s endorsement therefore forms part of an ongoing nationwide constitutional process rather than representing the immediate establishment of a state police force in Rivers State.
For the amendment to become law, the required number of state legislatures must first approve the proposal before it can move to the subsequent constitutional stages. The process is expected to attract further debate among lawmakers, security experts, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
As more state assemblies consider the bill, the debate over state police is likely to remain a major issue in discussions about Nigeria’s security architecture, federalism and the effectiveness of policing at the grassroots level.
The Rivers lawmakers’ decision adds the state to the growing list of state legislatures that have expressed support for the proposed constitutional reform, while the final outcome will depend on the completion of the constitutionally prescribed amendment process.
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