The push to establish state police in Nigeria received a major boost on Thursday as the Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly pledged to support the Constitution Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly.

The Speakers said they would endorse the proposed constitutional amendment once it is transmitted to the state legislatures, a crucial step required for the bill to become law. Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, any constitutional amendment must be approved by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Dennis Guwor, described the Senate’s approval of the bill as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen security, improve policing, and advance true federalism.

Guwor said community-based policing, when backed by a proper legal framework, would improve security, ensure quicker responses to crime, and address local security challenges more effectively.

He stressed that many security issues are best handled at the community level, noting that local policing structures are better positioned to understand the unique needs and concerns of their communities.

The Delta Assembly Speaker assured Nigerians that once the bill reaches the state legislatures, it would receive careful consideration. He added that the Houses of Assembly would engage stakeholders, conduct public hearings where necessary, and deliberate on the proposal in the interest of national unity and the protection of lives and property.

Guwor also commended the Senate for taking what he described as a bold step and urged all stakeholders to continue discussing the proposed legislation with patriotism and a shared commitment to improving security across the country.

He further pledged that the Conference of Speakers would work closely with the National Assembly, the Executive, and other relevant institutions to ensure the successful passage of constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening democracy and good governance.

The Progressive Speakers Forum also welcomed the Senate’s action. In a statement signed by its Chairman and Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, the forum described the proposed establishment of state police as a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for a more effective and responsive policing system.

According to the forum, Nigerians have long demanded a security structure that understands the local terrain and the unique challenges facing different communities. It added that the creation of state police would empower states to better protect residents, respond more quickly to security threats, and strengthen cooperation between citizens and law enforcement agencies.

The proposed amendment has also received support from several prominent figures, including United States Congressman Riley Moore, who praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate for pursuing the decentralisation of the police.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, former Senator Ayo Arise, Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico Reno Omokri, and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors also welcomed the development, describing the move as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing security reforms.

If approved by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly and subsequently assented to by the President, the constitutional amendment will pave the way for the establishment of state police across Nigeria.