By George Omagbemi
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeking to establish state police services across Nigeria.
The bill received the support of all 21 lawmakers present during plenary on Wednesday, October 21. Speaker Adeoye Aribasoye subsequently directed the Clerk of the House to transmit the document, alongside the Assembly’s observations, to the National Assembly.
Aribasoye said decentralised policing could improve security responses by bringing law enforcement closer to communities. He cited concerns about delayed responses to distress calls, limited operational reach and inadequate coordination in tackling insecurity.
The Assembly supported the proposed constitutional framework subject to an observation concerning Section 317A(5). Its committee recommended wording to recognise the legislative authority of both the National Assembly and state legislatures, within their respective constitutional jurisdictions, regarding relevant security arrangements.
The passage does not mean state police are already operational in Ekiti or across Nigeria. Under the constitutional amendment process, at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly must approve the alteration before the National Assembly can complete the process.
The proposal would establish a dual policing structure comprising federal and state police services, with constitutional safeguards intended to guide their operation.
The development adds Ekiti to the growing list of states endorsing decentralised policing as lawmakers consider reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
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