Plateau Assembly backs state police bill amid security concerns

The Plateau State House of Assembly has endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police, citing persistent insecurity and manpower shortages in the Nigeria Police Force.
The lawmakers adopted the recommendations of an ad hoc committee on the proposed amendment during plenary on Monday, presided over by the Speaker, Naanlong Daniel.
The committee’s chairman, Theodore Bala Maiyaki, who represents Qua’an-Pan South Constituency, presented the report, urging the House to support the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.
Maiyaki said the amendment was necessary to strengthen local policing and improve responses to security threats in communities.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish constitutional frameworks for federal and state police services, with safeguards for human rights, operational standards, accountability and coordination.
The committee also noted that security was essential to Plateau State’s socio-economic development and recommended that the House support the amendment in line with constitutional requirements.
Following deliberations, the lawmakers adopted the recommendations and voted in favour of the proposal.
Daniel commended the committee for its work, saying members had demonstrated commitment to addressing issues affecting the state’s security and development.
The bill was transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16 by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, for consideration.
At least 24 state assemblies must approve the proposed amendment before it can advance to the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.
Meanwhile, the Plateau Assembly passed two other bills through first reading during the plenary.
They are the Plateau State Right of Patients and Medical Institutions Bill and the Plateau State Bill on Jungle Justice, Mob Action and Other Forms of Unlawful Violence Against Persons.
The bills will proceed to subsequent stages of consideration in line with the House’s legislative procedures, according to a statement by Philip Eplong, Press Secretary to the Speaker.