Lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police, calling on all 36 State Houses of Assembly to accelerate the consideration and passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill that seeks to decentralise policing across Nigeria.
The resolution was adopted during plenary after the Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, presented a motion advocating support for the creation of state police as part of efforts to improve national security.
According to Adams, the proposed constitutional amendment aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen the country’s security architecture by allowing states to establish police forces capable of responding more effectively to local security challenges and protecting lives and property.
Speaker of the House, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, also backed the proposal, saying state police would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes through improved community-based policing.
Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council have begun high-level discussions in Kaduna to address pressing challenges affecting the region, with insecurity taking centre stage.
Speaking at the meeting, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said governors from different political parties had consistently advocated for a policing system that better reflects local realities and is more capable of addressing evolving security threats.
He described the ongoing constitutional amendment process on state police as a significant step in Nigeria’s democratic development, expressing optimism that the initiative could provide lasting solutions to the country’s security concerns.
In a related development, the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) and the Oodua Unity Group (OUG) welcomed the progress made on the State Police Bill, describing it as a landmark legislative move that could improve security management nationwide.
The groups made their position known after a joint meeting held at the palace of the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, where they discussed the growing security challenges facing the Southwest.
In a joint statement, they urged state security agencies to work closely with community-based and private security organisations once state police become operational, noting that collaboration would strengthen efforts to address insecurity across the region.
They also stressed that coordinated action between government security institutions and grassroots organisations would be essential in improving public safety and maintaining peace.
