STATE POLICE DON ENTER ANOTHER GEAR AS EKITI BACK REFORM, BUT KEBBI APPROVAL STILL NEED CONFIRMATION

Nigeria State Police debate don gather fresh momentum as Ekiti State House of Assembly approve the proposed constitutional amendment wey fit allow states establish their own police services. The development don raise fresh hope among people wey believe say local policing fit help fight kidnapping, banditry and other security challenges. But as politicians dey discuss how to bring security closer to the people, one important question still dey: who go make sure say the new police system serve ordinary Nigerians instead of becoming political weapon? And before anybody begin celebrate victory, the exact number of states wey don officially approve the proposal need clear confirmation.

State Police: Ekiti Lawmakers Back Constitutional Reform

According to reports published on October 21, 2026, all 21 lawmakers wey attend the Ekiti State House of Assembly sitting support the proposed constitutional amendment. The bill pass second and third readings, while the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, direct the Clerk of the Assembly to transmit the document, together with the observations made by the lawmakers, to the National Assembly. The Assembly’s committee recommend one adjustment to the proposed constitutional provisions, showing say the lawmakers no just rubber-stamp the matter; dem also consider how the new arrangement suppose operate within the law.

The development mark another important step for the push to establish State Police for Nigeria. Supporters don argue for years say one centralised police structure fit struggle to respond effectively to the different security challenges across a country as large as Nigeria. Local police services, if dem get adequate resources and proper training, fit improve intelligence gathering and help security officers understand the communities wey dem dey protect. But make we no deceive ourselves: passing a bill no mean say criminals go automatically surrender their weapons. Even the best security structure need competent officers, reliable intelligence, good equipment and public trust before e fit deliver meaningful results.

State Police: The 24-State Hurdle and Kebbi Question

Before Ekiti’s latest endorsement, reports put the number of state assemblies wey don approve the proposal at 13. The states listed include Osun, Edo, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Delta, Taraba, Cross River, Plateau and Enugu. If Ekiti’s approval join that list, the total becomes 14, based on the reported figures. However, available reports on Kebbi show say the State House of Assembly receive the proposed amendment and refer am to its Committee on Internal Security for consideration. That no be the same thing as final approval. Therefore, the claim say Kebbi don also endorse the proposal needs further confirmation before the total fit accurately rise to 15.

Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies must approve a constitutional amendment before e fit proceed to the next stage of the process. The Senate pass the State Police amendment on June 24, 2026, while the House of Representatives pass the proposal on July 23. The National Assembly transmit the bill to the state assemblies on September 16 for their consideration and approval.

The proposal seeks to create a constitutional framework for State Police Services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police service. So, even with growing support, the reform still need the required state approvals and completion of the remaining constitutional procedures before State Police fit become a reality.

Another serious matter wey Nigerians need watch na how government go prevent abuse of power. Supporters of State Police believe say the system fit make policing more responsive to local security needs. Critics, however, worry say governors fit attempt to use state-controlled officers against political opponents, journalists or people wey criticise government. Other questions concern recruitment standards, funding, officers’ independence, human rights and how state police services go cooperate with federal security agencies. These concerns no mean say the proposal must fail; rather, dem show why the rules governing the system must be strong enough to protect citizens, regardless of their political connections or social status.

As the State Police debate continues, the real test no go simply be how many governors or lawmakers support the proposal. Nigerians go judge the reform by whether e reduce insecurity, improve response to emergencies and protect innocent people without creating another channel for intimidation. Ekiti don take its reported legislative step, while Kebbi’s final position still requires confirmation. The race to secure the necessary 24 state approvals therefore remains important. OGM News Pidgin go continue to monitor the State Police development, the decisions of the remaining state assemblies and the safeguards wey lawmakers propose to ensure say any new policing system serves the people rather than the powerful.