Member representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, on Thursday described the passage of the constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police as a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest to address growing security challenges through a more responsive and decentralised policing system.

Olajide, who is the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, made the remarks while reacting to the consideration and passage of the proposal by the House of Representatives under the ongoing constitution review exercise chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

The proposed amendment seeks to create a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police across the federation as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and improve law enforcement at the sub-national level.

According to the lawmaker, the development represents a significant step towards modernising Nigeria’s security architecture and deepening the federal system of government.

He noted that the country’s centralised policing structure has become increasingly overstretched in the face of rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across different parts of the country.

“The security challenges confronting our nation require innovative, practical and locally responsive solutions. The passage of the state police bill by the House of Representatives represents a necessary step towards reinforcing internal security and ensuring that communities are better protected,” Olajide said.

He argued that the proposed state police framework would improve intelligence gathering, enhance response times to security threats and enable state governments to play a more active role in safeguarding lives and property within their jurisdictions.

Drawing comparisons with other federal democracies, Olajide said countries such as the United States operate decentralised policing systems where federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work collaboratively to address security concerns based on local realities.

The federal lawmaker stressed that the Nigerian model under consideration contains adequate safeguards to prevent abuse while promoting accountability, professionalism and operational efficiency.

According to him, the framework includes oversight mechanisms, state police service commissions and provisions that allow federal intervention in situations involving abuse of power or threats to national security.

Olajide therefore called on the Senate to accord the constitutional amendment expedited consideration, citing the urgency of the nation’s security challenges.

“I urge our distinguished senators to give this constitutional amendment the attention and urgency it deserves. Nigerians have waited for this reform for many years and the time has come to take decisive action in the interest of national security,” he said.

Speaking on the preparedness of states to implement the reform, Olajide expressed confidence that Oyo State would be among the leading beneficiaries of the proposed legislation when eventually enacted.

He maintained that the state already possesses many of the institutional and administrative structures necessary to support an effective state police system, adding that the Oyo State House of Assembly has demonstrated sufficient legislative capacity to act promptly when the amendment is transmitted to state legislatures for ratification.

“As a state, we have shown commitment to innovative governance, security collaboration and institutional development. I have no doubt that Oyo State will be among the leading states in implementing this reform when it becomes law,” he added.

On the ongoing constitutional debate surrounding state creation, Olajide expressed optimism that the agitation for the creation of Ibadan State would receive favourable consideration.

He said the demand for Ibadan State has evolved beyond political aspiration into a legitimate constitutional issue rooted in equity, administrative convenience, economic viability and the need to bring governance closer to the people.

The lawmaker urged stakeholders across the proposed state to sustain support for the initiative as the constitutional amendment process progresses.