The Senate passed a landmark Constitution Alteration Bill Wednesday to establish state police nationwide, marking a major shift in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralizing policing to tackle insecurity.
Here are five key provisions of the State Police Bill
1. Governors to appoint state police commissioners: Governors can appoint Commissioners of Police for their states, subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly.
2. Dual police system: State police services will operate concurrently with the Federal Police Service, which remains headed by the Inspector-General of Police.
3. Governors can issue policy directives: Under Section 17(6), governors may give lawful written directives of a general policy nature to Commissioners of Police on public safety and public order.
4. Safeguards against political abuse: Section 17(7) bars state Commissioners of Police from arresting, detaining, investigating, or using force against any person, party, or group merely for criticizing the government, except in accordance with law.
5. Due process required for enforcement: The bill mandates that state police actions comply with existing legal provisions to prevent weaponization against activists, journalists, or dissenting voices.