Lawmakers at the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is expected to take a major step toward the creation of state police as lawmakers prepare to vote on several constitutional amendment bills on Thursday.
Among the proposed amendments is a bill seeking to establish state police across the country, a move supporters say could strengthen security and improve local policing.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, disclosed this during a media briefing shortly after plenary.
Kalu said the House has placed the state police proposal at the top of its legislative priorities as members consider a fresh round of constitutional amendments.
According to him, lawmakers are expected to focus on the state police bill before addressing other amendment proposals scheduled for consideration.
To ensure full participation in the voting process, the House leadership has directed members currently outside Abuja on oversight assignments to suspend their activities and return to the National Assembly before Thursday’s session.
The proposed state police legislation is sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and 14 other members of the House.
If approved by the National Assembly and other required stakeholders, the bill could pave the way for a decentralized policing system, allowing states to establish and manage their own police formations alongside existing federal security structures.
