The Senate on Wednesday passed the bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking a significant step in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
The bill was approved after lawmakers considered the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by its chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin. It was subsequently examined clause-by-clause at the Committee of the Whole before securing final passage.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the bill's passage after more than two-thirds of senators voted in its favour through a manual vote.
The proposed legislation provides for the creation of state police services that will operate alongside the existing federal police structure.
Under the bill, the Inspector-General of Police will continue to head the Federal Police Service, while each state police service will be led by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the state governor, subject to confirmation by the state's House of Assembly.
The legislation also authorises governors to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to state police commissioners on matters relating to public safety and public order.
To address concerns over potential political abuse, the bill prohibits state police commissioners from arresting, detaining, investigating or deploying force against any individual, political party or group for criticising the government, except in accordance with the law.
The bill now moves to the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.
