Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has warned that the proposed creation of state police in Nigeria could fail unless it is backed by adequate funding and financial independence.
Speaking at the ARISE NEWS Townhall on State Police on Thursday, Bamidele said a poorly funded state police system would be vulnerable to interference from politicians, wealthy individuals, businesses and criminal groups, undermining its ability to protect lives and maintain public trust.
“If the state police is not well funded, it may as well be a highway to nowhere,” he said.
The senator explained that the constitutional amendment currently before the National Assembly is not intended to compel every state to establish its own police force. Instead, he said, the proposal seeks to create a legal framework that would allow states to establish police services if they choose.
According to Bamidele, the amendment would move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, giving states the constitutional authority to create and manage their own police forces.
He maintained that Nigeria had reached a stage where decentralised policing had become necessary, but stressed that any state police system must be supported by strong legal safeguards, sustainable funding and accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse.
“We are at a stage now where we must bring this to reality,” Bamidele said.
The call for state police has gathered momentum amid growing concerns over insecurity across Nigeria and increasing demands for a more decentralised policing structure.
Supporters argue that state-controlled police forces would improve intelligence gathering and enable quicker responses to local security challenges. However, critics have warned that without adequate safeguards, state police could be susceptible to political interference and misuse against perceived opponents.
The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would transfer policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, paving the way for states to establish their own police services.
This morning, I made a presentation in support of the establishment of the state police along other major stakeholders including state governors, members of the National Assembly and top security experts.
It was an opportunity for me to raise more awareness for the support of… pic.twitter.com/1Ro7cuEBEX
— Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON (@mob_sen_leader) July 9, 2026
