By joshua STATE POLICE BILL, 2026 – What It Encompasses
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By
Amb. Hon. Abdulsalam Bawa DANGANA
In Nigeria, the “State Police Bill” is the proposed *Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026.* It is designed to end the 50+ year monopoly of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) by creating a *dual policing system:* Federal Police plus State Police Services.
Here is what the bill covers:
*1. Core Structure Change*
– *Dual Policing:* Retains the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as “Federal Police” for national matters, while letting each state establish its own State Police Service.
– *Constitutional Amendment:* Moves policing from the *Exclusive Legislative List* to the *Concurrent Legislative List,* so both federal and state governments can legislate on police.
– *State Adoption is Optional:* States must pass their own House of Assembly law to set up State Police, and it only starts operating after being certified as meeting national minimum standards. Until then, the Federal Police continues to operate in that state.
*2. Division of Responsibilities*
– *State Police:* Enforce state laws, maintain public safety/public order, prevent/detect crimes within the state, protect lives/property, local policing duties.
– *Federal Police:* Counter-terrorism, organized crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, interstate crime, protecting federal institutions.
*3. Leadership and Appointments*
– *Federal:* Still headed by an Inspector-General of Police. IGP gets a single, non-renewable 4-year term, appointed from DIG rank or above.
– *State:* Each State Police Service headed by a *Commissioner of Police.* The CP is appointed by the Governor *on recommendation of the State Police Service Council* and confirmed by the State House of Assembly. CP also serves a single 4-year term.
– *Removal Protection:* A State CP can only be suspended or removed *for stated cause, with fair hearing,* on recommendation of the National Police Council and approval by 2/3 of the State House of Assembly.
*4. Oversight and “Firewalls” Against Abuse*
This was the biggest concern. The bill builds in 6 main safeguards:
1. *Policy vs Persecution:* Governors can issue *lawful written directives of a general policy nature* on public safety. But CPs *cannot* arrest, detain, or investigate anyone “merely for criticising the government”.
2. *No Political Targeting:* Governors are barred from directing police to unlawfully target specific persons, political parties, groups, or associations. Also bars use of police for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional or personal purposes.
3. *Refusal Mechanism:* If a CP believes a Governor’s order is unlawful, they can refer it to the *National Police Council,* whose decision is binding and final.
4. *National Police Council Expanded:* Now includes all State Attorneys-General (AGs), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Public Complaints Commission (PCC), retired Commissioners of Police (CPs) from each geo-political zone. Functions: appointment/removal of IGP and State CPs, coordinating policy, supervising both Police Services.
5. *Complaints Units:* Every state must have a Complaints Response Unit (CRU) to receive petitions against Officers.
6. *Operational Independence:* Both Inspector General of Police (IGP) and State Commissioners of Police (CPs) have operational independence. Officers can reject unlawful instruction.
*5. Federal Intervention Rules*
The Federal Government *can* temporarily take over a State Police Service, but only under strict conditions:
1. Actual/imminent breakdown of public order the state can’t contain
2. State Police is incapacitated administratively/financially/operationally
3. Evidence of egregious rights violations, partisan/electoral intimidation, ethnic/religious persecution.
Requires: Written authorization by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stating grounds, territory, duration. Notice to State Governor, State House of Assembly Speaker, Nigeria Police Council (NPC), National Assembly (NASS) within 48 hours. Senate must validate it, and it is subject to judicial review.
*6. Transition Plan*
– *2-year Transition:* Existing Nigeria Police Force (NPF) personnel transferred to either Federal or State Service based on deployment.
– *Ranks/pensions protected:* Service conditions remain.
– *Joint Transition Committee* supervises the process over 24 months.
*7. Current Status*
– Passed by House of Representatives on June 11, 2026 and Senate June 24, 2026 respectively.
– Now needs approval by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly before it goes to the President for assent.
*Arguments For vs Against*
*Proponents Say:* Improves intelligence gathering because locals know terrain/language, faster response without Abuja bottlenecks, better Community policing.
*Critics Worry:* Funding crisis in states, corruption, and Governors weaponizing Police as “tools of political terror” ahead of 2027 elections.
*Specific Impacts*
When the Kogi State House of Assembly ratifies the *State Police Bill, 2026,* here is how it would play out specifically for Kogi State:
*1. Kogi State Police Service Creation*
– *New Force:* Kogi would establish its own _Kogi State Police Service_ headed by a Commissioner of Police for Kogi State.
– *State Law Needed:* The House of Assembly must first pass a _Kogi State Police Law_ spelling out structure, recruitment, funding, and code of conduct. Until that law is passed and certified to meet national minimum standards, the Nigeria Police Force continues operating as normal.
– *Optional, not automatic*: Even after the constitutional amendment, Kogi can choose not to set one up. But if it does, the State Police would take over local policing duties.
*2. What Kogi State Police Would Handle*
*Kogi-specific duties:*
1. *Local Crime:* Farmers-herders clashes in Dekina, Bassa, Omala LGAs; cultism in Lokoja, Okene, Kabba; highway robbery along Lokoja-Abuja, Okene-Auchi routes.
2. *Market Security:* Direct protection for markets across the 3 Senatorial Districts — Lokoja International Market, Okene Central Market, Anyigba Market. This directly affects your Association members.
3. *Chieftaincy/Communal Disputes:* Quicker response to boundary and kingship conflicts common in Kogi East and Kogi Central.
4. *State law enforcement*: Enforce Kogi State laws, sanitation bylaws, anti-open grazing laws, tax/levy enforcement in markets.
5. *VIP protection*: Security for Kogi State Govt House, House of Assembly, LGAs.
*Federal Police remains for:* Terrorism, kidnapping syndicates crossing state lines, NDLEA work, immigration, federal highways, protection of Ajaokuta Steel, River Niger bridges.
*3. Governor’s Powers plus Limits in Kogi State*
*What Governor Ododo CAN do:*
1. Issue *lawful written directives of a general policy nature* to the Kogi State Commissioner of Police (CP). Example: “Intensify night patrols in Ankpa-Lokoja corridor due to rising kidnapping.”
2. Appoint the Kogi State Commissioner of Police (CP) *through the State Police Service Council* subject to Assembly confirmation.
*What He CANNOT do:*
1. Order Commissioner of Police (CP) to arrest a political opponent in Idah “for criticizing government”.
2. Use State Police against APC/PDP/Labour Party events or specific ethnic groups like Igala, Ebira, Okun.
3. Remove the CP arbitrarily. Needs *stated cause plus fair hearing plus National Police Council recommendation plus 2/3 Assembly vote.*
If the Commissioner of Police (CP) thinks an order is unlawful, he refers it to the National Police Council (NPC). Their decision binds the Governor.
*4. Funding Impact on Kogi State Budget*
This is the biggest practical issue:
1. *Kogi foots the Bill:* Salaries, uniforms, vehicles, stations, training, pensions for Kogi State Police come from state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) plus FAAC.
2. *Current Wage Pressure:* Kogi State already struggles with salary and allowance arrears for School Teachers/LGA Workers and former Political Appointees some years. Adding thousands of Police Officers could strain finances.
3. *Funding Trap Risk:* Retired Commissioner of Police (CP) Balarabe Sule warned many states face “salary crisis, corruption trap” if they can’t fund properly. Underpaid Officers = corruption risk.
4. *Upside:* Federal allocations for security votes may be redirected. Also, safer markets = more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from marketers and traders.
*5. Recruitment and Deployment*
1. *Local Advantage:* Kogi State can recruit indigenous people who understand Igala, Ebira, Okun, Nupe languages and terrain of Igalamela, Ibaji, Okene Hills.
2. *2-year Transition:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Officers currently serving in Kogi State can opt to transfer to Kogi State Police with ranks/pensions protected.
3. *Senatorial Spread:* Likely 3 Area Commands for Kogi East, Central, West plus Lokoja Headquarters (HQ), matching your Association’s structure.
*6. Oversight Bodies Kogi Must Set Up*
1. *State Police Service Council:* Chaired by Governor, includes Kogi Attorney General (AG), relevant Commissioners.
2. *Complaints Response Unit*: Must exist in Lokoja plus Senatorial Offices. Market Men and Women can petition if officers extort or harass.
3. *State House of Assembly role:* Confirms Commissioner of Police (CP), approves removal by 2/3 vote, makes laws on policing standards.
*7. For Market Men and Women Association Specifically*
*Potential Gains:*
1. *Dedicated Market Units:* Kogi State Police could post officers to major markets to stop illegal levies, touting, theft.
2. *Faster Response:* No waiting for Abuja directives when there is crisis in Ayingba Market or Okene Central Market.
3. *Your Request for Operational Vehicles:* Makes more sense if State Police exists — those vehicles could be shared with State Police patrols.
*Risks to Watch:*
1. *Politicization:* If misused, State Police could target traders who oppose ruling party during elections.
2. *Multiple Taxation:* State Police plus existing Task Forces could mean more harassment if oversight fails.
*8. Federal Takeover Clause*
If there is “breakdown of public order which Kogi State can’t contain” – say, widespread communal clash – the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can authorize Federal Police to temporarily take over Kogi State Police. But must notify Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker, and Senate within 48 hours. Senate must validate it.
*Bottom Line for Kogi State:* If approved, policing becomes closer to the grassroots with potential for faster, language-aware response to Kogi’s unique security issues. But success depends 100% on *funding plus non-partisan leadership.* Without that, it risks becoming another underfunded agency or political tool.
*Amb. Hon. Abdulsalam Bawa DANGANA,*
Technical Adviser to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF),
Kogi State Command.
© 28/06/2026