President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that about 30 state Houses of Assembly have officially concurred on the proposed Sixth Alteration Bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish state police services across Nigeria.
Speaking during an interactive audience with members of the northern youth group, Arewa Revival Project, led by Mustafa Ibrahim, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Senate President Akpabio expressed confidence that the decentralization of policing infrastructure is nearing final operationalization.
“As I speak with you now, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, it may not take us a month before we have a state police system – decentralized policing in the country – because about 30 states have endorsed the amendment to the Nigerian constitution,” Akpabio declared.
Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, constitutional amendments passed by the National Assembly require formal approval by simple resolution of at least two-thirds of the 36 state legislatures—representing 24 states—before being transmitted for presidential assent.
With 30 state assemblies having concurred, the threshold has been surpassed. Recent state legislatures passing the bill include Jigawa, Lagos, Ebonyi, Kogi, and Niger.
Addressing security concerns across the country, Akpabio assured citizens that decentralized policing will complement federal security structures, enhance community intelligence gathering, and curb violent crime. He also urged northern youth to support continuity in federal policy and maintain confidence in ongoing socio-economic and security reforms.
