Oyo Assembly Passes Bill to Create State Police Framework
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a legal basis for State Police Services nationwide.
The bill was passed during plenary after lawmakers considered it clause by clause, with Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin presiding over the session.
The House acted after receiving a letter from the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, which forwarded the bill to the Oyo Assembly for consideration and approval.
The Senate had earlier passed the bill on June 24, 2026, while the House of Representatives followed on July 23, 2026. Both chambers urged state legislatures to consider the bill quickly so that the constitutional alteration process under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution can be completed.
During the sitting, Speaker Ogundoyin noted that the bill's passage would have significant legislative implications for the Oyo Assembly, especially the need to develop a comprehensive State Police Law that can turn the constitutional framework into an effective operational institution.
He explained that the proposed amendment would fundamentally restructure Nigeria's policing architecture by providing for a Federal Police Service alongside State Police Services.
According to the Speaker, the bill would empower each state to establish its own Police Service through legislation passed by its House of Assembly, while also defining the respective responsibilities of federal and state police authorities.
State Police would be tasked with enforcing state laws, maintaining public safety and order, preventing and detecting offences, protecting life and property, and carrying out other local policing functions prescribed by state law.
The proposed framework would also establish State Police Service Commissions with responsibilities covering the appointment, promotion, transfer, discipline, oversight, complaints and accountability of state police personnel.
The bill provides for a State Commander of Police to head each State Police Service. The Commander would be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly, the Speaker explained.
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