Tinubu calls for constitutional amendment to enable state police

President Bola Tinubu has urged the leadership of Nigeria’s Senate to begin the process of amending the Constitution to create a legal basis for state police forces as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity.

The President made the appeal during an interfaith meeting with lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, according to a statement from his information office.

He argued that Nigeria’s evolving security challenges — including terrorism, banditry, and insurgency — require a decentralised policing structure that allows states to respond more quickly to local threats.

Tinubu said establishing state police would strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering, improve community-based security responses, and complement the existing federal security architecture.

He emphasised that the proposal is aimed at ensuring better protection for citizens, securing forests and rural areas, and reducing fear among communities affected by violence.

The President also praised the cooperative relationship between the executive arm and the legislature, stressing that unity between both institutions is essential for addressing national security threats.

He commended lawmakers for supporting major reforms introduced by his administration, particularly fiscal and tax measures, describing them as necessary steps toward stabilising the economy and improving governance.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his response, thanked the President for the engagement and expressed confidence in the administration’s reform agenda. He noted that increased revenue allocations to states have already helped governors pursue infrastructure development and other projects.

Akpabio also offered prayers for the country’s peace and prosperity, stressing the importance of collaboration between government institutions during a critical period for national development.