By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The Cross River State House of Assembly and 14 other state legislatures have reportedly endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to pave the way for the establishment of state police, leaving nine more assemblies to meet the required threshold.
The latest states to endorse the proposal are Ekiti and Kebbi, whose assemblies reportedly approved it on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, bringing the total number of supporting state legislatures to 15.
Other states reported to have endorsed the proposal are Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Delta, Taraba, Plateau and Enugu, alongside Cross River.
Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly. With 36 states in the federation, the proposal needs the support of at least 24 assemblies to satisfy this requirement.
With 15 assemblies reportedly in support, nine more state legislatures must endorse the amendment to reach the required threshold. The proposal must also satisfy the other constitutional requirements before it can become law.
The move towards state policing comes amid persistent security challenges across the country, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and communal violence. The debate over state police has gained attention as concerns continue over the capacity of existing security structures to address threats across Nigeria’s diverse communities.
Proponents of state police argue that decentralising policing could improve intelligence gathering and enable security personnel to respond more quickly to crimes. They contend that locally based officers would be better positioned to understand the security needs, terrain and dynamics of the communities they serve.
However, concerns remain over funding, accountability, training and the possible misuse of state police by political office holders. Analysts have emphasised the need for effective oversight, operational independence and constitutional safeguards to prevent abuses and protect citizens’ rights.
The endorsement by the state assemblies represents a step in the constitutional amendment process but does not mean state police have been established. The proposal must pass all the required constitutional stages before the new policing structure can become operational.
If properly implemented, state police could strengthen community-based intelligence, improve responses to security threats and complement the work of the Nigeria Police Force. For Nigerians, the hope is that the reform will lead to safer communities, fewer kidnappings and violent crimes, and better protection of lives and property.
