Sokoto Assembly approves bill to create state police services

Sokoto Assembly approves state police bill

On 27 October 2026, the Sokoto State House of Assembly voted unanimously to adopt the Sixth Alteration Bill, which amends the 1999 Constitution to allow the creation of state police services. The motion was moved by Deputy Majority Leader Mustapha Abdullahi (APC‑Sokoto South II) during a plenary session in Sokoto. The bill was transmitted by the executive, considered by the Senate on 24 June and by the House of Representatives on 23 July, before reaching the Sokoto Assembly on 22 September.

The legislation retains the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police service while providing a constitutional framework for state police forces to operate side‑by‑side with the national body. The bill is expected to clarify responsibilities between the two levels of policing.

Background

The 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not currently provide for state police services. The Sixth Alteration Bill proposes to amend the constitution to create such services in each state. The bill was introduced by the Sokoto Assembly after the executive transmitted it, and it has been considered by all three houses of the national legislature.

According to the proposed legislation, federal law enforcement officers will be responsible for managing cross-border and global offenses, acts of terror, digital crimes, securing national frontiers, overseeing the Federal Capital Territory, and safeguarding government property. State police services would be responsible for law enforcement, maintaining public order and safety, protecting lives and property, and investigating local crimes. The national police force retains the authority to step into regional security affairs if a state governor formally requests assistance or if local authorities fail to restore order during a crisis.

The head of a state police service would be called the State Commander of Police. State executives will select the head of the local police unit based on advice from the National Police Council, provided that the regional legislative body approves the choice. A State Police Service Commission would be established as an executive body to handle appointment, promotion and discipline of state police personnel, except for the State Commander.

Funding for the new services would come directly from each state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring financial autonomy for the State Police Service Commission. The existing national police structure will remain active across all states until the newly established regional police services begin their duties.

Why it matters

The bill addresses security challenges faced by states across Nigeria by creating a dedicated policing body at the state level. Lawmakers who supported the bill described state policing as a necessary measure to improve law enforcement and public safety. The bill also provides a clear delineation of duties between federal and state police, which could reduce overlap and improve coordination.

The passage of the bill means that Sokoto State will be the first to implement a state police service under the new constitutional framework. If the bill is adopted by the national legislature and ratified by a two‑thirds majority of state houses, it could lead to the establishment of state police forces in other states, potentially reshaping policing in Nigeria.

What happens next

The bill has already been considered by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The next step is to obtain the required two‑thirds approval from the houses of assembly of at least two‑thirds of all states, as stipulated in Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution. If this threshold is met, the bill will become law and the state police services can begin to be established.

The Sokoto Assembly’s unanimous vote demonstrates strong support for the proposal within the state, but the bill’s future depends on the national legislative process and the ratification by other state assemblies.