President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.

The proposed legislation, contained in a communication dated June 15, 2026, was read during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to the President, the bill is intended to create a legal framework for a dual policing system that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

Tinubu described the amendment as a key component of ongoing efforts to reorganise the country’s policing structure, strengthen security, and improve the protection of citizens. He noted that communities, municipalities, and local government areas would assume greater responsibilities in maintaining security under the proposed arrangement.

Following the presentation of the bill, Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review and directed the committee to report back on Wednesday.

Speaking on the importance of community-based security, the Senate President argued that local authorities are better positioned to identify emerging threats and suspicious activities within their areas.

“You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” Akpabio said.

He explained that the implementation of state police would be carried out in phases through constitutional amendments and subsequent Acts of Parliament designed to provide operational guidelines and safeguards.

“We will do it in two phases through alteration and an Act of Parliament. There will be a lot of safeguards; let us come and do this important task. It is extremely important that we come tomorrow,” he stated.

Akpabio also informed senators that plenary would not entertain other major debates due to the death of House of Representatives member Yahaya Tongo of Gombe State.

The Senate leadership appealed to lawmakers to attend the next sitting, stressing the significance of the constitutional amendment process and the need for broad legislative support.

“We need a minimum of two-thirds of members to vote on constitutional alterations. The issue of state police is non-partisan and cuts across geopolitical zones and interests,” Akpabio said.

The development comes less than two weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading. According to Akpabio, the newly transmitted Constitution Alteration Bill builds on the earlier proposal and is intended to provide the constitutional foundation required for the establishment and operation of state police services across the country.

The push for state police has gained renewed momentum in recent months, with many stakeholders arguing that decentralised policing would improve grassroots security, enhance intelligence gathering, and enable faster responses to local security challenges.