Ekiti and Benue Assemblies Approve State Police Bills Amid Push for Decentralised Policing

Ekiti Assembly endorses constitutional amendment for state police On 21 October 2026, the Ekiti State House of Assembly voted unanimously to pass the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026. The legislation provides a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services, a proposal that has been debated at the national level for more than twenty years. All 21 legislators present supported the bill after it cleared second and third readings in a plenary session.

Following the vote, the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, instructed the Clerk of the House to forward the bill and the Assembly’s observations to the National Assembly for further consideration. The Assembly’s leadership highlighted the need for a more responsive and locally accountable policing system, citing persistent public concerns over delayed emergency responses, limited operational reach and a perceived disconnect between law‑enforcement agencies and communities.

Benue Assembly follows suit with similar legislation A day earlier, on 20 October 2026, the Benue State House of Assembly also approved a constitutional amendment bill aimed at creating state police forces. The bill, presented during a plenary presided over by Speaker Alfred Emberga, received backing from the majority of members after deliberations led by House Majority Leader Peter Ipusu. Emberga similarly directed the Clerk to transmit the bill to the National Assembly.

Benue lawmakers argued that decentralised policing could improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots, accelerate responses to security emergencies, and address specific threats such as rural banditry, farmer‑herder clashes and urban crime. They also noted potential benefits for employment and accountability, suggesting that state‑level oversight would bring policing leadership closer to elected representatives.

Context and procedural requirements Both states are seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution, which under Section 9 requires at least two‑thirds approval from each chamber of the National Assembly and a two‑thirds majority across all State Houses of Assembly before the amendment can be presented to the President for assent. The simultaneous passage of similar bills in Ekiti and Benue reflects a growing regional consensus that decentralised policing could address longstanding security deficiencies.

Implications for national security policy If the National Assembly adopts the proposed amendments, Nigeria could see the establishment of State Police Services operating alongside the Federal Police Service. Proponents contend that such a structure would enhance accountability, improve response times to distress calls, and restore public confidence in law enforcement. Critics, however, have warned that without clear funding mechanisms and coordination protocols, the creation of multiple policing bodies could lead to jurisdictional overlaps.

The transmission of the bills to the federal legislature marks the next procedural step in a process that could reshape Nigeria’s policing landscape, pending further debate and approval at the national level.