The Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services across Nigeria.

The bill, known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, scaled its second and third readings during plenary, with all 21 lawmakers present supporting its passage on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Following the passage, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, directed the Clerk of the House to transmit the bill to the National Assembly alongside the observations made by the Ekiti legislature.

Aribasoye said the establishment of State Police had remained a major subject of national discussion for more than two decades, stressing that Nigeria needed a more responsive policing system capable of addressing security challenges at the grassroots.

He noted that delayed responses to distress calls, limited operational reach and inadequate coordination had weakened security efforts in some communities. According to him, a properly structured State Police system could bring law enforcement closer to the people, improve accountability and strengthen public confidence, provided adequate constitutional safeguards were established. <Cite refs={[“turn296866search0″,”turn296866search2”]}/>

The Assembly’s approval represents a step in the constitutional amendment process and does not mean that State Police are already operational in Ekiti. The proposed amendment must pass the remaining constitutional requirements before it can take effect.