JUST IN: House of Reps pass bill on establishment of state police

The House of Representatives has taken a major step toward the establishment of state police, as lawmakers passed a bill seeking its creation for further legislative consideration during Thursday’s plenary session.

The proposal, designated HB 617, is part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s security framework in response to rising insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The bill scaled through via a voice vote presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, with more than 290 lawmakers in attendance at the session.

During the sitting, the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), moved a motion seeking the suspension of standing rules to allow consideration of a motion relating to the rescission of an earlier decision on the presentation of reports by the Committee on Constitution Review.

The move is part of broader legislative efforts by the Green Chamber to accelerate deliberations on constitutional alterations, particularly those aimed at improving internal security and governance structure across the federation.