The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police services as part of efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen security across the country.
The lawmakers endorsed the proposal during plenary after considering the constitutional amendment transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly.
The approval brings Bayelsa into the growing number of states supporting the proposed constitutional framework for state police. The amendment still requires the necessary approvals from state legislatures before the constitutional process can be completed.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, represented by his deputy, Michael Ogbere, described the decision as an important step in the constitutional amendment process.
He said the lawmakers’ consideration of the proposal demonstrated the importance attached to governance, security and the welfare of residents.
The proposed amendment is designed to provide a constitutional framework for states to establish their own police services while maintaining the Federal Police Service.
Under the proposed arrangement, states would be able to establish state police through legislation, subject to national standards and other safeguards contained in the amendment.
The move comes amid continued calls for a more decentralised security system capable of responding more quickly to local security challenges.
In addition to the state police proposal, the Bayelsa Assembly introduced two bills for consideration.
The first is the Ijaw Cultural Heritage Bill, which seeks to provide a legislative framework for the preservation and promotion of Ijaw cultural heritage.
The second is the Retirement Age for Magistrates and Chairmen of Customary Courts Bill, 2026.
Both bills received their first readings, marking the beginning of their legislative consideration by the Assembly.
The approval of the state police proposal means Bayelsa lawmakers have now taken a position on one of the most significant constitutional reforms currently before state legislatures.
