Dr. Michael Nwoko, City Boy Movement Coordinator for Contact and Mobilization, South-South Zone, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the proposed establishment of state police, describing the Senate’s passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill as a landmark step toward transforming Nigeria’s security architecture.
In a statement released on Thursday, Dr. Michael Nwoko said the bill, passed by the Senate on June 24, 2026, would decentralize policing and significantly improve the country’s ability to address security challenges at the grassroots.
According to him, one of the major gains of the proposed legislation is the creation of localized security structures capable of responding more effectively to crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, and other community-based threats.
He explained that state police officers would possess better knowledge of their local environments, including the geography, languages, and cultural dynamics of their respective states, thereby enhancing intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
Nwoko further noted that the proposed arrangement would eliminate delays associated with centralized policing by allowing security operations to be coordinated at the state level.
He said the bill also provides for a clear division of responsibilities between the Federal Police and the proposed State Police.
While the Federal Police would continue to oversee national security, border protection, cybercrime, and counter-terrorism operations, state police formations would focus on enforcing state laws and maintaining public order.
Addressing concerns over possible abuse of state police by governors, Dr. Nwoko said the constitutional amendment contains safeguards designed to protect citizens’ rights and ensure institutional accountability.
According to him, the legislation prohibits the arrest or detention of individuals solely for criticizing the government and provides mechanisms through which unlawful directives issued by governors can be challenged before the National Police Council.
He added that independent State Police Service Commissions would be established to oversee recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary matters, thereby reducing political interference in the administration of state police.
Nwoko also noted that the Federal Police would only be permitted to intervene in state policing operations under exceptional circumstances, such as a complete breakdown of law and order or at the request of a state governor.
While applauding the Senate’s action, he observed that the constitutional amendment must still complete the remaining legislative process before becoming law, including concurrence by the House of Representatives where necessary, ratification by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly, and presidential assent.
He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier transmitted the Constitution Alteration Bill on the establishment of state police to the Senate, describing the move as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
“The establishment of state police is a critical reform that has the potential to change the entire security architecture of Nigeria and strengthen efforts to combat insecurity across the country,” Nwoko said.
He urged Nigerians to support the reform, expressing optimism that the proposed state policing system would enhance public safety while strengthening community participation in security management.
