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The Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday endorsed a resolution supporting the creation of state police forces and called on other state legislatures to fast-track constitutional amendments to enable the reform.
The motion, titled ‘Support for the Establishment of State Police in Nigeria,’ was moved by Majority Leader Noheem Adams and adopted unanimously by lawmakers.
Adams told the House that the proposal aligns with national government efforts to decentralise policing and address rising insecurity across the country.
“Lagos Assembly had consistently supported the establishment of state police to enhance community policing and address the country’s growing security challenges,” Adams said.
He listed Nigeria’s police-to-population ratio—roughly one officer for every 600 people—as a barrier to efficient law enforcement.
Credit: BusinessDay.
State-controlled forces, according to Adams, would enhance community-based security operations, emergency response times, and intelligence gathering.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said state governments should have authority over police services, including recruitment, appointments, promotions and discipline.
Obasa proposed that governors appoint Commissioners of Police, subject to confirmation by state legislatures.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate expressed support for the motion, describing state policing as a measure to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.
The resolution urges the 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite consideration of the Constitution Alteration Bill on state policing.
The House reaffirmed its position in favour of state police as part of ongoing national discussions on security sector reform.
