By Lafe Tyem
The Plateau State House of Assembly has adopted the recommendations of its ad hoc committee on the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police, voting in support of the proposed reform aimed at strengthening security across Nigeria.
The decision was taken during plenary at the Assembly Complex in Jos, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel Gapyil.
The proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, for consideration and approval.
The proposed amendment seeks to establish State Police Services alongside the Federal Police Service, providing a constitutional framework for decentralised policing amid persistent security challenges across the country.
Presenting the committee’s report, its chairman and member representing Qua’an-Pan South Constituency, Prof. Theodore Bala Maiyaki, said the proposed amendment was necessary in view of prevailing security concerns, manpower shortages in the Nigeria Police Force and the need to strengthen community-level policing.
Maiyaki explained that the proposal provides for a framework governing federal and state police services, with safeguards for human rights, operational standards, accountability and coordination.
Following deliberations, lawmakers adopted the committee’s recommendations and voted in support of the proposed constitutional amendment.
The Speaker commended the committee for its work and thanked members for their commitment and sacrifice in considering the legislative proposal.
The proposed reform forms part of ongoing efforts to decentralise policing in Nigeria. However, its implementation remains subject to the completion of the constitutionally prescribed amendment process.
In a related development, the House passed two bills for first reading: the Plateau State Right of Patients and Medical Institutions Bill, and the Plateau State Bill on Jungle Justice, Mob Action and Other Forms of Unlawful Violence Against Persons.
The Assembly also resolved to proceed on recess from Monday, October 19, to Tuesday, November 10, 2026, to enable members to rest and prepare for subsequent legislative activities.
