Speaker Abbas assures state police will not be governors' private armies
via Punch Nigeria11 min read
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has assured Nigerians that the proposed constitutional amendment for state police includes safeguards to prevent governors from misusing the security outfits. Speaking at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, Abbas stated that the House would rigorously scrutinize the State police bill to ensure effective policing without undermining democracy. He highlighted that this marks the first time a sitting President, Bola Tinubu, has formally transmitted an executive bill for state police, commending this action after decades of debate without legislative progress. Abbas addressed concerns about governors potentially abusing state police, explaining that the bill incorporates multiple constitutional safeguards. He argued that Nigeria's growing security challenges, such as banditry and kidnapping, necessitate a decentralized police system, as a single national force cannot adequately address localized threats in a country of over 200 million people. The proposed legislation would rename the Nigeria Police Force to the Federal Police Service and allow states to establish their own police services, provided they meet national minimum standards set by the National Assembly. The Federal Police would retain responsibility for terrorism, border security, federal offenses, and policing the Federal Capital Territory. Commissioners of Police would be appointed based on the National Police Council's recommendation, confirmed by
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