By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The Labour Party has applauded the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, for passing the State Police Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, calling it a critical move to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security.

In a statement Thursday, National Publicity Secretary Ken Eluma Asogwa said the Bill addresses years of public demand for a policing structure that is more effective and responsive to the country’s escalating security threats.

“For years, Nigerians across all regions have clamoured for a more effective and responsive policing architecture capable of addressing the growing and increasingly complex security challenges confronting the nation.

“The passage of this Bill therefore represents a significant step towards strengthening internal security and bringing law enforcement closer to the people,” Asogwa stated.

The party acknowledged concerns over potential misuse of state police, referencing past issues with State Independent Electoral Commissions and allegations of undue influence by some governors.

But it insisted that Nigeria’s present security realities outweigh those risks and make the case for decentralised policing compelling.

Labour Party expressed confidence in the Bill’s constitutional safeguards, specifically Section 17, which it said provides clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.

“These safeguards, if faithfully implemented, should serve as effective checks against arbitrary control or misuse of the system by any state executive,” Asogwa noted.

He added that while “no policing model is perfect,” the limitations of the current centralised arrangement demand new approaches to improve safety for citizens.

With the Bill now before State Houses of Assembly for concurrence ahead of presidential assent, the Labour Party urged governors and state lawmakers across the 36 states to prioritise national interest over partisanship.

“The Labour Party believes that with proper oversight, transparency and adherence to constitutional provisions, state policing can become a vital instrument for combating crime, enhancing community security and strengthening the federation,” the statement concluded.

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate on Wednesday at emergency plenary resumed consideration of the Bill on State Police.

Recall that the Red Chamber received President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Executive Bill on Tuesday, considered and passed it to first reading.

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio thereafter referred the Bill to committee on constitutional amendment for further legislative consideration and asked to bring back the Bll on Wednesday for further consideration at the committee of the whole.

Consequently,in a move to accommodate decentralised police structure in the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate has adopted clearly defined measures to constrain and prohibit state governors from using such powers for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional, or personal purposes.

The upper chamber also pointed out that when eventually amended, the new constitution will authorise the National Assembly to prescribe national minimum standards relating to recruitment, training, vetting, promotions, discipline, use of force, firearms, complaints procedures, accountability, data management, and professional conduct.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele reeled out these measures while leading debate on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026 on Wednesday

Canvassing support for the bill, Bamidele first highlighted the objectives of the bill on the establishment of state police submitted to the National Assembly by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

He, also Vice Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, pointed out that the proposal mainly sought to balance local policing autonomy with national cohesion, accountability with operational effectiveness and federal oversight with state responsibility.

He said the bill is intended to retain the Nigeria Police Force for federal policing duties while providing for the establishment of state police services in states that choose to adopt them.

Bamidele further broke down the details of the proposed police decentralised structure, noting that the state police would be responsible only for enforcing state laws, maintaining public safety and public order, preventing and detecting crimes within their jurisdiction, protecting lives and property, and other local policing responsibility.

On the responsibilities of the federal police, Bamidele noted that the federal police would be in charge of protecting federal institutions, counter-terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, interstate criminal activities, and other national security matters.”

The Senate leader, more specifically, clarified circumstances in which the federal police could intervene in security situations or conditions at the sub-national level

He explained that the interventionary powers of the federal police could only be activated when there “is outright breakdown of public order at a specific subnational entity; when a state police are incapable of functioning; when there is serious violation of fundamental rights; when there is an established record of electoral intimidation and when national security is under threat.”

Bamidele added that such intervention could only come after the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces authorised it in writing, saying it would be limited in scope and duration, subject to Senate oversight and open to judicial review.

He further explained that the bill generally sought “to balance local policing autonomy with national cohesion, accountability with operational effectiveness and federal oversight with state responsibility.

“The bill provides robust safeguards against abuse, preserves federal authority where necessary, protects constitutional rights and creates a modern policing framework capable of addressing contemporary security challenges.

Seconding the bill, Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe said that he was among those who were against the establishment of state Police at the initial stage.

However, Abaribe pointed out that the prevailing security situation across the federation necessitated the establishment of state police in order to tackle security problems.

Also speaking in support of the bill, former Sokoto State Governor and Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Senator Waziri Tambuwal observed that he had remained consistent on the need for the establishment of state police .

The Chief Chip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno further solicited broader support for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution to accommodate the establishment of state police in order to help respond decisively to security challenges with the subnational territories.

Having passed through second reading, the Red Chamber subjected the Bill to Committee of the whole where it went through clause by clause consideration and finally scaled through third reading and was passed.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has officially concluded the return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj, with the last flight carrying Zamfara State pilgrims expected to land in Nigeria today, June 23, 2026.

The completion of the return leg, according to a statement by the management, marks the end of the 2026 Hajj operations, which involved airlifting Nigerian pilgrims to and from the holy land.

NAHCON said 12 Nigerian pilgrims are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals in Saudi Arabia for various health conditions.

“The Commission is closely monitoring their situations and has made arrangements to facilitate their safe return to Nigeria as soon as they are discharged from the hospitals,” it stated.

NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the success of the 2026 Hajj exercise.

He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima for their support, as well as State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, licensed tour operators, service providers, aviation partners, medical teams, security personnel, the media and Nigerian pilgrims.

The Commission acknowledged that challenges were encountered during the exercise, but said valuable lessons have been drawn to improve future Hajj operations.

In line with its commitment to early planning, NAHCON said it has formally commenced preparations for the 1448H/2027 Hajj season.

This was conveyed to all Hajj managers in Nigeria through a circular dated June 15, 2026, titled “Commencement of Preparations for 1448H/2027 Hajj Season,” signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Ali, for the Chairman/CEO.

Consequently, State Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions and licensed private tour operators have been directed to begin preparatory activities immediately.

They are to comply strictly with the official preparation document for the 1448H/2027 Hajj season received from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.