Benue Assembly passes state police bill, seeks constitutional amendment

Benue Assembly passes state police bill, seeks constitutional amendment

The Benue State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to amend the Nigerian Constitution to allow the establishment of state police, adding its voice to ongoing efforts to decentralise policing and address the country’s security challenges.

The bill was approved during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, following deliberations led by the House Majority Leader, Peter Ipusu.

Ipusu urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the proposed amendment, arguing that state police would strengthen intelligence gathering at the grassroots, improve responses to security emergencies and enhance law enforcement.

He maintained that decentralised policing could help tackle security threats, including rural banditry, farmer-herder conflicts and urban crime, while creating employment opportunities and promoting accountability.

The proposed amendment seeks to establish a constitutional framework for state police services alongside the Federal Police Service, with provisions addressing their responsibilities, funding and operations.

Following the passage of the bill, Speaker Emberga directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the Assembly’s decision to the National Assembly for further legislative action.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, constitutional amendments generally require approval by at least two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the National Assembly and resolutions supported by at least two-thirds of all State Houses of Assembly before being presented to the President for assent.

In a related development, the Assembly passed the Free Eye Screening and Cataract Surgery Bill, sponsored by Simon Gabo, representing Mata State Constituency, for first reading.

Emberga directed the Standing Committee on Rules and Business to prepare the proposed legislation for further consideration.

The two bills were among the major decisions taken by the lawmakers during Tuesday’s plenary session on October 20, 2026.