The [Ondo State House of Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ondo_State) voted on Monday, September 24, to adopt a bill that seeks to amend the [1999 Constitution of Nigeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Nigeria) so that each state can create its own police service. The amendment, if ratified by the federal legislature, would give Ondo and other states the legal basis to set up a grassroots policing structure.
Key facts:
- The proposal was introduced to the assembly through a letter from National Assembly Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, read aloud by Speaker Olamide Oladiji.
- House Leader Olatunji Oshati moved the motion, which was seconded by APC member Allen Oluwatoyin of the Ese‑Odo constituency.
- Oshati argued that state police would directly tackle the myriad security challenges facing Nigerians.
- Oladiji described the move as “long overdue,” emphasizing faster response times and improved intelligence gathering.
- The bill is now slated for transmission to the [National Assembly (Nigeria)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_(Nigeria)) for further legislative scrutiny.
**What prompted the amendment?**
The assembly cited persistent insecurity across the country, noting that a locally based police force could react more swiftly to crimes and provide better community intelligence. Proponents believe that state policing, being rooted in local contexts, would enhance crime prevention and public confidence.
**Who supported the motion?**
Speaker Oladiji championed the bill, stating, “There will be greater confidence in state policing. It will strengthen intelligence gathering and provide grassroots security.” The motion received backing from the majority of lawmakers present, reflecting a bipartisan consensus on the need for reform.
**What are the next steps?**
After passage in the state legislature, the amendment will be forwarded to the federal National Assembly, where both the Senate and House of Representatives must approve it before it can be incorporated into the constitution. If successful, the change would pave the way for the creation of state police forces nationwide, a shift from the current centralized policing model.
**Why is this significant?**
Nigeria’s security architecture has long been centralized under the Nigeria Police Force, which many critics argue is overstretched and unable to address localized threats effectively. Introducing state police could decentralize law enforcement, allowing each state to tailor strategies to its unique security landscape.
The assembly’s decision marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing debate over policing reform, with the outcome likely to influence future discussions in other states and at the federal level.