The Rivers State House of Assembly has endorsed the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeking to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services.

All 25 members of the Assembly voted in favour of the bill during plenary on Monday, following consultations with their constituents.

Speaker Martins Amaewhule commended the lawmakers for their consultations, saying their decision reflected the views gathered from their constituents.

He said Nigerians had, over time, called for a policing system at the subnational level to complement the Nigeria Police Force.

Amaewhule said the Assembly supported the proposed constitutional amendment and efforts to strengthen security across the country.

According to him, state police would complement the Federal Police and promote more effective policing at the subnational level.

He added that the bill would establish a constitutional pathway for State Police Services while preserving the National Assembly’s role in setting national minimum policing standards.

The Speaker said the bill contains 26 clauses, including 25 proposed alterations involving substitutions to sections of the 1999 Constitution.

Among the provisions listed for amendment are Sections 84(4), 89(2), 121(3), 124(4), 109(2), 153(1), 157(2), 158(1) and 160.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the National Assembly recently transmitted the proposed state police constitutional amendment bill to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.