House of Reps to Vote on State Police Bill Thursday

The House of Representatives has scheduled a vote for Thursday on a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria.

Premium Times reported that the bill has moved from debate to the floor voting stage, marking a significant step forward for the controversial legislation. The development follows weeks of public discussion over whether Nigeria should devolve policing powers from the federal to the state level.

Supporters of state police argue that the current centralised policing structure is unable to address the country’s growing security challenges, including banditry, kidnappings and terrorist attacks. Critics have raised concerns about potential abuse of police powers by state governors.

The bill was earlier the subject of labour protests, with labour unions opposing certain provisions. If passed, the amendment would allow states to establish and control their own police forces, while the federal police would continue to operate at the national level.

The scheduled vote represents a concrete legislative milestone after months of debate in both chambers of the National Assembly.

Sources: TheCable, Premium Times