Tinubu seeks Senate approval for state police as insecurity escalates

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to consider and approve a constitutional amendment bill that would pave the way for the establishment of state police across Nigeria, describing the move as a key step toward strengthening national security.

The request was conveyed in a letter dated June 15, 2026, which was read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In the letter, Tinubu explained that the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create a legal basis for state-controlled police services.

According to the president, the legislation would introduce a dual policing arrangement under which federal and state police formations would operate side by side within a constitutionally recognised framework. He said the proposal is aimed at addressing the country’s increasingly complex security challenges.

Tinubu noted that the bill builds on earlier efforts by both chambers of the National Assembly and includes additional provisions intended to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of state policing.

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“This bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

The president further described the legislation as an important element of his administration’s broader security reform agenda, aimed at enhancing the protection of lives and property nationwide.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” Tinubu added.

He urged lawmakers to give the proposal speedy consideration and passage.

Following the reading of the correspondence, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative work. The committee was directed to submit its report to the chamber on the next legislative day.

Insecurity worsens

The bill becomes important as insecurity worsens across Nigeria, forcing families ton take precautionary measures to stay safe.

Several students and teachers are in the hands of kidnappers, witt some in Oyo, Niger and Borno. More than a week ago, kidnappers abuducted leaders of the Scripture Union returning from the Scriture Union Campus Fellowship (SUCF) programme in Orlu, Imo State.

They were abducted at the boubdary bordering Anambra and Imo states.The Imo State Command’s Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the police had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers in collaboration with the command in Anambra to rescue the hostages.

“We have commenced a thorough investigation in synergy with the Anambra state police command, because this incident happened at the boundary between Imo and Anambra states. There is a discreet investigation ongoing.”