The Cross River State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has passed the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeking to establish a constitutional framework for State Police Services in Nigeria.
The bill was passed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with 22 of the 25 members of the Assembly voting in favour, while three members were absent from plenary.
The passage followed deliberations by lawmakers on the proposed constitutional amendments and the need for a decentralised policing system to strengthen security, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the protection of lives and property across Cross River State.
Leading the debate, the Leader of the House and member representing Odukpani State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo, underscored the importance of bringing policing closer to the people, noting that a decentralised security structure could improve response to local security threats and address challenges peculiar to communities at the grassroots.
Similarly, the member representing Yala I State Constituency, Hon. Brian Odey, emphasised the need for effective coordination between state and federal security agencies to ensure that the proposed State Police Services complement existing security structures and strengthen overall security operations.
The Deputy Leader of the House and member representing Abi State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Davies Eta, called for adequate safeguards, accountability and professionalism in the proposed framework. He stressed that state police must operate within the confines of the law and respect the fundamental rights of citizens.
In his remarks, Speaker Ayambem said the Assembly’s decision reflected its support for constitutional reforms aimed at addressing security challenges and protecting lives and property.
He maintained that the establishment of State Police Services must be guided by the rule of law, accountability and democratic principles to prevent abuse of power and ensure that the proposed system serves the interests of the people.
“By this vote, the 10th Assembly has demonstrated its support for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish a constitutional framework for State Police Services,” the Speaker said.
The bill contains 26 clauses and proposes 25 alterations through substitutions to provisions of the principal Act. Among the sections listed for amendment are Sections 84(4), 89(2), 121(3), 124(4), 109(2), 153(1), 157(2), 158(1) and 160.
The proposed constitutional amendment forms part of ongoing efforts to create a legal framework for decentralised policing in Nigeria, with proponents arguing that state-level security structures could improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable faster responses to local threats.
However, the implementation of State Police Services would require appropriate legal safeguards, operational coordination and accountability mechanisms to ensure professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights.
The passage of the bill marks the Cross River State House of Assembly’s endorsement of the proposed constitutional amendments, advancing the legislative process towards the possible establishment of State Police Services in Nigeria.
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