₦airaland Forum

The Lagos State House of Assembly has backed the proposed establishment of state police but warned that the constitutional amendment before state legislatures must give states greater control over policing and clearly define the relationship between state and federal police authorities.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, raised the concerns on Tuesday during plenary after lawmakers considered the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, transmitted to state Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly.

Obasa said the proposed amendment was a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges but argued that the provisions did not yet sufficiently resolve questions about who would control and administer state police.

“While the proposed amendment represents a step in the right direction, there is still room for improvement to ensure that future administrations can strengthen the provisions and grant states greater authority in managing their security systems,” he said.

The Speaker said the demand for state police had persisted through successive National Assemblies, from the fifth to the 10th, as governments continue to seek ways to improve security and protect lives and property.


He said the current proposal represented progress because the long-standing demand was finally receiving constitutional attention, but cautioned that leaving substantial powers at the federal level could undermine the purpose of creating state police.

Obasa also called for clear constitutional provisions defining the functions and responsibilities of the proposed state police, warning that differences in the powers assigned to federal and state authorities could create an imbalance in the country’s policing structure.


This comes as state Houses of Assembly consider the constitutional alteration required to establish a State Police Service, with nearly 25 states already expressing support for the proposal.


He commended President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly leadership and state legislatures for pushing the amendment process, while urging lawmakers at all levels to ensure that the remaining concerns were addressed before the process was concluded.

Obasa used the debate to make a separate case for parliamentary policing, saying legislative institutions also required dedicated security arrangements to protect their independence.

He cited previous incidents in which state legislative complexes were allegedly demolished or locked at the instance of governors, arguing that parliamentary police could help prevent such occurrences and protect lawmakers from executive interference.

According to him, protecting legislative institutions was necessary to strengthen democratic governance and preserve the independence of the legislature.

“Protecting the legislature is essential to strengthening democratic institutions, preserving the independence of the legislative arm of government, and sustaining democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Adenike Oshinowo, to formally communicate the Lagos Assembly’s resolution to the National Assembly.

Source: https://punchng.com/lagos-assembly-okays-state-police-demands-clear-power-sharing

Enough of noise, sensation about the state policing.

Let them pass it if they want to instead of repeated news about it

adenigga:
Source: https://punchng.com/lagos-assembly-okays-state-police-demands-clear-power-sharing

Simply study how it is done in the USA and model on it!

Make Una no sha pack area boys as you have them in VIO put for Police

Use American model, it's working fine over there.
Anything our own de always different

God Bless Nigeria
God Bless Lagos State
God Bless Me and My Family

adenigga:
Source: https://punchng.com/lagos-assembly-okays-state-police-demands-clear-power-sharing

I support this, our democracy must grow

Obasa used the debate to make a separate case for parliamentary policing, saying legislative institutions also required dedicated security arrangements to protect their independence.

He cited previous incidents in which state legislative complexes were allegedly demolished or locked at the instance of governors, arguing that parliamentary police could help prevent such occurrences and protect lawmakers from executive interference.

According to him, protecting legislative institutions was necessary to strengthen democratic governance and preserve the independence of the legislature.

The main challenges is at the rural areas and hinterlands. I prefer vigilante/Community Corps/hunters.
Bounty Hunters is very important too.

Onewazobia:
I support this, our democracy must grow

Obasa used the debate to make a separate case for parliamentary policing, saying legislative institutions also required dedicated security arrangements to protect their independence.

He cited previous incidents in which state legislative complexes were allegedly demolished or locked at the instance of governors, arguing that parliamentary police could help prevent such occurrences and protect lawmakers from executive interference.

According to him, protecting legislative institutions was necessary to strengthen democratic governance and preserve the independence of the legislature.

This is key!
No intimidating in the name of controlling the forces

Community police should have be the best which traditional ruler controls than giving govs power to use it at their will. More demolition about to happen. Know your neighbor police back by federal government will be best

Lagos cannot fund a good enough police force that would work.

I implore Nigerians to watch police body cam videos from the USA. Once they see what happens, dem go know why we cannot fund a proper state police.

One of the bodycams showed a man in New York who fired a gun at another person, but missed. Within a minute three police cars were chasing him down. Because of a system of cameras and sensors picked up the gunshot, and directed the police cars to the place.

Nigeria as a nation runs a flawed economic system that means we cannot raise the amount we need to fund a effective state police, and by extension a proper judicial system and forensic system that would work in tandem with the police. Even proper records and communication system we no get. The result is that our state police would be beaten and outwitted by crime, same way as Nigeria federal police is being done so

Like now, can any law enforcement use the number plates of a car to determine if 1) the car is stolen or 2) the driver has active warrants? Yep, they cannot. And na state wey go fund that? Okay o.

I don't mind being abused and called names, because I know I am right, and I know I would be proven right. The same way people compain about NPF, is the same way they will complain about state police.

lol.
\

My experience on this site is that a lot of nigerians do not want to face the uncomfortable truth. It's not their fault really. INternet is the enabler of dreams.

zoedew:
Simply study how it is done in the USA and model on it!

I don't think we should copy the US system. That system has been used to oppress and murder the less fortunate. They are mini emperors in their jurisdiction.

Be wary when you see certain people seeking to quickly pass laws, it is always in their favour.

zoedew:
Simply study how it is done in the USA and model on it!

US citizens pay heavy tax for their state police to run. They do not fund it from oyel revenue.

nairalanda1:
Lagos cannot fund a good enough police force that would work.

I implore Nigerians to watch police body cam videos from the USA. Once they see what happens, dem go know why we cannot fund a proper state police.

One of the bodycams showed a man in New York who fired a gun at another person, but missed. Within a minute three police cars were chasing him down. Because of a system of cameras and sensors picked up the gunshot, and directed the police cars to the place.

Nigeria as a nation runs a flawed economic system that means we cannot raise the amount we need to fund a effective state police, and by extension a proper judicial system and forensic system that would work in tandem with the police. Even proper records and communication system we no get. The result is that our state police would be beaten and outwitted by crime, same way as Nigeria federal police is being done so

Like now, can any law enforcement use the number plates of a car to determine if 1) the car is stolen or 2) the driver has active warrants? Yep, they cannot. And na state wey go fund that? Okay o.

I don't mind being abused and called names, because I know I am right, and I know I would be proven right. The same way people compain about NPF, is the same way they will complain about state police.

lol.
\

My experience on this site is that a lot of nigerians do not want to face the uncomfortable truth. It's not their fault really. INternet is the enabler of dreams.

Which kain lie be this? Which body cam senses gunshots?

At best what was used to locate the exact place is gps that could have been on the police or the police vehicle.

You keep making cases as how Nigeria cannot get things right by always saying there’s no money. But never have I seen you condemn the unnecessary and extravagant spendings of the politicians.

Na wa to you. Closet APC and politicians supporter.

Sheuns:
Which kain lie be this? Which body cam senses gunshots?


Na wa to you. Closet APC and politicians supporter.

1. Im not lying

2. I am an APC supporter because I am opposing something that is being actively promoted and passed by...APC.

Son, come back when you know how to discuss , because right now, you are just showing yaself up short.

nairalanda1:
Lagos cannot fund a good enough police force that would work.

I implore Nigerians to watch police body cam videos from the USA. Once they see what happens, dem go know why we cannot fund a proper state police.

One of the bodycams showed a man in New York who fired a gun at another person, but missed. Within a minute three police cars were chasing him down. Because of a system of cameras and sensors picked up the gunshot, and directed the police cars to the place.

Nigeria as a nation runs a flawed economic system that means we cannot raise the amount we need to fund a effective state police, and by extension a proper judicial system and forensic system that would work in tandem with the police. Even proper records and communication system we no get. The result is that our state police would be beaten and outwitted by crime, same way as Nigeria federal police is being done so

Like now, can any law enforcement use the number plates of a car to determine if 1) the car is stolen or 2) the driver has active warrants? Yep, they cannot. And na state wey go fund that? Okay o.

I don't mind being abused and called names, because I know I am right, and I know I would be proven right. The same way people compain about NPF, is the same way they will complain about state police.

lol.
\

My experience on this site is that a lot of nigerians do not want to face the uncomfortable truth. It's not their fault really. INternet is the enabler of dreams.

Again, this post shows you are naturally a pessimist, wet blanket and doom-monger. How long has USA etal had to get where they are today with their policing model?

Many experts have determined State Policing is best for Nigeria. Who are you to argue otherwise?

Sure there will be a learning stage and mistakes will be made but what is sure is that what we have currently has failing and according to Albert Einstein, insanity it doing things the same way over and over again to expect a different outcome.

Yes State policing will throw up initial teething and 'learning curve pain but there is no other viable alternative to it in terms of long term efficacy for any Nigerian who understands we must run our states and regions more autonomously because Nigerians are not one nor united and will never be.

TopBanter:
Again, this post shows you are naturally a pessimist, wet blanket and doom-monger. How long has USA etal had to get where they are today with their policing model?

Many experts have determined State Policing is best for Nigeria. Who are you to argue otherwise?

Sure there will be a learning stage and mistakes will be made but what is sure is that what we have currently has failing and according to Albert Einstein, insanity it doing things the same way over and over again to expect a different outcome.

Yes State policing will throw up initial teething and 'learning curve pain but there is no other viable alternative to it in terms of long term efficacy for any Nigerian who understands we must run our states and regions more autonomously because Nigerians are not one nor united and will never be.

On the contrary, I believe state policing could strengthen the rule of law in Nigeria. From a security standpoint, a single police force cannot claim exclusive authority over investigations, particularly for crimes that occur at the state level. With both federal and state police operating in the same space, they would either have to cooperate within the law or risk exposing each other’s misconduct. Crucially, they would answer to different employers with different political interests, creating a system of checks and balances.

For example, neither the federal police nor state police would be able to arbitrarily arrest motorists as they sometimes do today. In their early years, both forces would be competing for public acceptance and legitimacy, which would discourage blatant abuses and encourage more accountable policing.

nairalanda1:
1. Im not lying

2. I am an APC supporter because I am opposing something that is being actively promoted and passed by...APC.

Son, come back when you know how to discuss , because right now, you are just showing yaself up short.

Ọgá shut up, I use to support you but not on this state police.must they use body cam before they work actively? Sounding like a terrorist. State police is here to stay and nothing anyone of you can do to stop it. Rome wasn't build in a day

Excellent! Let’s make sure the Lagos Assembly’s police are truly exemplary. And don’t forget to keep the rhetoric flowing! AcadaWriter

lionshare:
On the contrary, I believe state policing could strengthen the rule of law in Nigeria. From a security standpoint, a single police force cannot claim exclusive authority over investigations, particularly for crimes that occur at the state level. With both federal and state police operating in the same space, they would either have to cooperate within the law or risk exposing each other’s misconduct. Crucially, they would answer to different employers with different political interests, creating a system of checks and balances.

For example, neither the federal police nor state police would be able to arbitrarily arrest motorists as they sometimes do today. In their early years, both forces would be competing for public acceptance and legitimacy, which would discourage blatant abuses and encourage more accountable policing.

I think we are saying the same thing. Ultimately, what we host current has failed and cannot secure Nigeria.

My must give State policing a chance.