Amendment to Section 214 grants states authority over police recruitment; critics warn of possible abuse in election periods

The Senate has passed a landmark constitutional amendment enabling state governments across Nigeria to establish and control their own police forces, with governors now set to appoint Police Commissioners directly. The decision was reached on Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja as lawmakers moved to address growing insecurity and decentralise security management nationwide.

Under the newly approved bill, each state government will have authority to recruit, manage, and deploy its own police officers, a sharp departure from the current centralised system where all command rests with the Inspector-General of Police at federal level. The amendment specifically alters Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, granting governors the power to appoint Commissioners of Police and oversee local operations without waiting for Abuja’s approval.

Supporters of the reform argue that state-controlled policing will deliver faster emergency response and improve intelligence gathering by deploying officers who better understand local languages and terrain. “For years, governors have been called Chief Security Officers but could not command police in their states,” one lawmaker said during debate on the floor. “This reform aims to change that reality.” The new approach mirrors policing structures in countries like India, Canada and the United States, where responsibility is shared between federal and subnational governments.

However, opposition voices raised concerns over possible misuse of state police for political ends. Morris Monye, a public affairs analyst commenting on X (formerly Twitter), stated: “I do not completely agree with state police. It might be tools by Governors to rig their state elections.” Critics warn that governors could use local police units to intimidate rivals or influence polls. Proponents counter that constitutional safeguards and independent oversight must accompany the new powers to prevent abuse.

If fully implemented after ratification by two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly, the amendment would mark one of Nigeria’s most significant security sector changes since independence. States will be able to structure recruitment around residents with deep knowledge of their communities, potentially boosting trust and reducing response times during crises. The future impact will depend on how both federal and state authorities manage oversight and accountability as Nigeria adapts its approach to rising security challenges.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/nigeria-state-police-bill-governors-appoint-commissioners-2026062517434616218