By NEFISHETU YAKUBU

The Constitution Amendment Bill on State Police passed its second reading during the Senate plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the suspension of Senate rules to accelerate consideration of the executive bill seeking constitutional backing for state police services.

Leading the debate on the bill, Bamidele said it aims to establish state police while retaining a strong federal police structure, national standards, accountability mechanisms, and safeguards against abuse.

According to him, the bill provides for independent state police service commissions, national minimum policing standards, federal intervention in exceptional circumstances, and the protection of fundamental rights.

He said state police would improve community policing, strengthen intelligence gathering, and enhance response to security threats.

Contributing to the debate, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe said Nigeria’s worsening security situation required innovative solutions, adding that adequate safeguards must prevent political interference and abuse.

Abaribe stressed the need for constitutional guarantees on funding and oversight to ensure state police institutions remained professional, accountable, and independent of undue influence.

Former Sokoto Governor, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal supported the bill, describing state police as a critical step toward deepening federalism and addressing the persistent security challenges.

Tambuwal, however, urged lawmakers to incorporate strong safeguards to prevent future abuse by state authorities and protect citizens’ rights under the proposed framework.

Sen. Mohammed Monguno also backed the bill, arguing that existing community security structures across the country demonstrated the need for a formal state policing system.

Following overwhelming support during the debate, the senate passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the committee of the whole for further legislative consideration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate earlier suspended its rules to admit governors, attorneys-general, Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila and other senior government officials into the chamber to observe proceedings.

On his part, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said that the presence of the officials underscored the importance of the proposed constitutional amendment and demonstrated transparency in the legislative process.

Akpabio said the proposed amendment would address the growing security challenges across the country and reflect increasing calls for innovative and sustainable solutions. (NAN)