Five Nigerian state governments have announced plans to transform their existing local security outfits into state police following the House of Representatives' passage of an Executive Bill on July 23, 2026. The affected states—Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Zamfara, and Abia—intend to build on current structures rather than create entirely new police forces.
House Passes State Police Bill
The House of Representatives passed the Executive Bill during plenary on Thursday, July 23, 2026. This marked a major shift in Nigeria's policing structure, with the House withdrawing its earlier constitutional amendment proposal in favor of the Executive Bill. While some states are waiting for the constitutional process to conclude before deciding on a structure, the five states have indicated they will leverage existing agencies.
Ondo State: Amotekun Corps as Foundation
In Ondo State, Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication, Allen Sowore, said the Amotekun Corps is well placed for transition. "The men and officers of the Amotekun Corps would also be well positioned for recruitment into the state police system. Their years of experience, knowledge of the local terrain, community relationships, and understanding of the security challenges confronting our people are invaluable assets that should not be discarded," he stated. Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, added that Amotekun's current structure offers a ready implementation template.
Kaduna State: KADVIS as Starting Point
Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu'aibu, told a training program for personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS) on Wednesday that the state is upgrading the outfit to serve as the starting point for state police. "When the Constitution is eventually reviewed, and state police become operational, where do we start from? You can rest assured it will start from here," he said. A senior government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the focus is on strengthening KADVIS rather than creating a new agency.
Zamfara, Anambra, and Abia Outline Plans
In Zamfara, Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Publicity, Mustafa Kaura, said the Civilian Protection Guards would be converted, given the experience its personnel have gained fighting insecurity. Anambra State's Senior Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ejimofor Opara, noted that the Agunechemba security outfit would be "rejigged to fulfil the mandate of the state police." He added that the existing Anambra State Homeland Security Law already shares many features with the incoming legislation. Abia State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the state intends to merge its Homeland Security outfit and community vigilante groups into the new state police structure, with modalities to be worked out ahead of take-off.
Why Existing Structures Are Preferred
Officials across the five states argued that their security outfits already have personnel, community knowledge, and operational frameworks needed for a smooth handover. Building entirely new institutions would take longer and cost more, while the existing agencies have established intelligence networks and local trust. The Senate had earlier passed a historic State Police Bill into law following pressure from governors and rising security challenges nationwide. The legislation changes the statutory name from "Force" to "Service" to foster a civilian-focused orientation, establishes a dual funding mechanism for financial independence, and sets clear operational safeguards to prevent political abuse.
Implications for Security
Experts advocate for decentralised policing to improve response times and community intelligence gathering. However, concerns arise over potential political interference and funding disparities in the proposed state police structure. The five states' decision to convert existing outfits aims to mitigate these challenges by preserving local expertise and reducing startup costs.
