In a historic legislative move aimed at overhauling security architecture across the Niger Delta, the Rivers State House of Assembly has officially endorsed the constitutional amendment bill seeking the creation of State Police.
The approval follows intense deliberations on the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which was transmitted by the National Assembly to all 36 state legislatures for ratification. By backing the reform, the Rivers State Assembly effectively votes to transition Nigeria away from a single centralized federal policing model toward a dual system comprising both federal and state police services.
Presiding over the sitting, Speaker Martins Amaewhule commended lawmakers for extensive consultations, emphasizing that subnational policing is long overdue to complement federal security efforts. Amaewhule noted that empowering state governments with localized law enforcement structures will significantly boost intelligence gathering, combat grassroots crime, and guarantee better protection of lives and property across local communities. The bill also outlines 26 clauses designed to establish national minimum standards and prevent state political actors from abusing state police powers.
With Rivers joining other progressive state assemblies in backing the constitutional amendment, momentum continues to build nationwide toward achieving decentralized policing and stronger subnational security frameworks.
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