The Federal Government has submitted the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, and 29 related amendment bills to the Ministry of Justice for legal review, as five more state assemblies backed constitutional changes to establish state police.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill submitted the drafts to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on October 19, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the group’s chairman, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The ministry is expected to complete its review and return the documents by October 30. The working group will then conduct a final review before presenting them to President Bola Tinubu for consideration and onward transmission to the National Assembly.
The proposed framework seeks to establish a dual policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
Meanwhile, the assemblies in Ogun, Delta, Plateau, Kwara and Adamawa have considered the proposed constitutional amendment, joining Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara in supporting the establishment of state police.
However, Adamawa lawmakers approved 24 of the bill’s 26 clauses, rejecting two they said were not clearly defined.
The constitutional amendment bill was transmitted to the 36 state assemblies on September 16 after being passed by the Senate on June 24 and the House of Representatives on July 23.
Under Section 9(2) of the Constitution, the amendment requires approval from at least 24 state assemblies before it can proceed to the next stage.
The proposed reform is intended to bring policing closer to communities and improve responses to local security threats. However, concerns remain over potential political interference and the need for safeguards to ensure accountability and protect human rights.
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