Lawmakers in the Delta State House of Assembly have unanimously backed a constitutional amendment to introduce state policing in Nigeria.
During a Tuesday plenary session led by Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, all 23 members in attendance voted in favor of the Sixth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution, a measure designed to decentralize the country's law enforcement framework.
Speaker Guwor emphasized that localized policing structures are crucial for effectively tackling grassroots security issues. He noted that the reform aligns seamlessly with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda and holds immense potential to safeguard lives, maintain peace, and foster an environment ripe for economic development. The Clerk of the House has been instructed to forward the Assembly’s official resolution to the National Assembly.
If the constitutional amendments are finalized, state governments will be empowered to create and manage their own law enforcement agencies alongside the existing federal police. Advocates maintain that this dual structure will significantly enhance intelligence gathering and community-level crisis response.
This regional legislative push coincides with growing momentum at the federal level. Just last week, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced following a Presidential Working Group meeting in Abuja that a comprehensive National Policing Bill is 90 percent complete and will soon be transmitted to the National Assembly.
