Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has again defended the proposed State Police Bill, saying it includes strong constitutional safeguards to stop governors from abusing the system.
He said the bill would give Nigeria a stronger security structure to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Replying to criticism over the plan to create state police, Bamidele said Nigeria’s highly centralised policing system is overstretched and can no longer handle the country’s growing security challenges.
He said the move is based on national security needs, not politics, adding that the National Assembly reached the decision after wide consultations with key stakeholders nationwide.
According to him, Nigeria’s rising population, increasing security threats and the limits of the current policing system make state police necessary to better protect lives and property.
“The present police structure often limits the ability of sub-national authorities to respond effectively and promptly to security challenges within their jurisdictions,” he said.
Bamidele warned that keeping the current system would worsen insecurity. He said violent extremism in the North-East alone has caused losses of about $100 billion, while continued insecurity could further hurt the economy, destroy businesses and reduce national output.
He also said insecurity has displaced thousands of families, disrupted education, weakened local economies and forced many people into internally displaced persons’ camps.
Despite higher funding, more police recruitment and new security equipment, he said Nigeria has not achieved the desired level of security under the current system.
Bamidele said the bill clearly separates the duties of federal and state police. Federal police would handle terrorism, border security, organised crime, cybercrime, arms trafficking, protection of federal institutions and other national security matters. State police would enforce state laws, maintain public order, prevent crime and protect lives and property.
He said the bill creates an independent State Police Service Commission to oversee state police without governors’ control, gives it financial autonomy and blocks security agencies from being used for partisan, ethnic, religious or personal interests.
He added that governors cannot freely appoint, remove or direct commissioners of police, as appointments and removals require recommendations by the National Police Council and approval by two-thirds of the State House of Assembly. Governors can only issue lawful written directives on public safety and policy.
Bamidele said federal intervention in state policing would require constitutional conditions, including a state request and the President’s written approval. He added that the bill followed years of constitutional review and consultations, while public hearings across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 showed overwhelming support for state police.
