Nigeria’s push toward a decentralised security framework received a major boost on Thursday, June 11, 2026, as members of the House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed a constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police across the federation.
The proposal secured near-unanimous support during plenary at the National Assembly, where lawmakers voted on a series of constitutional reform measures aimed at addressing the country’s worsening security challenges.
The endorsement followed growing calls for alternative policing structures amid persistent cases of kidnapping, violent attacks, armed banditry, and other security threats in several parts of the country.
Proceedings leading to the vote witnessed moments of tension after concerns were raised over the timing of the circulation of documents related to the amendment. A lawmaker from Kaduna State, Bashir Zubairu, argued that members had not been given adequate time to study the report before deliberations commenced.
According to him, the document was distributed shortly before the sitting, making it difficult for lawmakers to thoroughly review its contents ahead of the crucial decision.
However, the objection failed to halt the process as the presiding officer, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, ruled that the proceedings should continue.
As lawmakers examined the provisions of the proposed amendment, occasional interruptions were recorded from members seeking to draw attention to procedural issues. Despite the interventions, the House leadership proceeded with the consideration of the bill.
Before voting commenced, Abbas informed the chamber that technical issues had rendered the electronic voting platform unusable. Consequently, members present were required to cast their votes through an alternative procedure based on attendance records.
At the end of the exercise, 289 lawmakers supported the creation of state police, while only one member opposed the proposal. The Speaker did not participate in the voting.
The outcome marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to amend the Constitution and reshape Nigeria’s policing system, with supporters arguing that state-controlled police formations could improve intelligence gathering, rapid response capabilities, and community-based security management.
