Cross River Assembly Backs State Police, All 22 Lawmakers Vote in Favour of Constitutional Bill

The Cross River State House of Assembly has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police services in Nigeria, strengthening the growing legislative momentum behind decentralised policing as the country seeks more effective responses to insecurity.

The bill, known as the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was passed during plenary on Tuesday, October 20, with all 22 lawmakers present voting in support. Three members of the 25-member Assembly were absent during the proceedings.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a constitutional framework that would allow states to operate their own police services alongside the existing federal policing structure. Its passage reflects the Assembly’s support for reforms aimed at improving security operations and bringing law enforcement closer to local communities.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the decision demonstrated the commitment of the 10th Assembly to constitutional reforms designed to address security challenges and protect lives and property.

Ayambem, however, emphasised that the proposed state policing arrangement must be guided by the rule of law, accountability and democratic principles to ensure that its implementation serves the public interest.

Leading the debate, the House Leader and member representing Odukpani State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo, argued that decentralising policing could improve security responses by bringing law enforcement closer to the people and enabling officers to address threats peculiar to individual communities.

Asuquo also highlighted the potential of state police to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times and support more targeted security interventions at the grassroots.

Similarly, the member representing Yala I State Constituency, Hon. Brian Odey, stressed the importance of effective coordination between state and federal security agencies. He maintained that clearly defined responsibilities and cooperation would be necessary to ensure that the proposed state police services complement existing security arrangements.

The Deputy Leader of the House and member representing Abi State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Davies Eta, called for adequate safeguards to guarantee professionalism, accountability and respect for citizens’ fundamental rights. His position underscored the need for a robust legal framework capable of preventing abuse of police powers.

The proposed amendment contains 26 clauses and seeks 25 alterations to provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including sections dealing with constitutional and institutional arrangements relevant to the establishment of state police services.

Cross River’s approval forms part of the wider constitutional amendment process through which state legislatures are considering the proposal transmitted by the National Assembly. Although the vote marks an important step in the state’s legislative position, the proposed changes must satisfy the constitutionally prescribed approval process before they can take effect nationally.