The Rivers State House of Assembly has voted unanimously in support of the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish State Police Services across Nigeria.
During Monday’s plenary, all 25 members backed the proposal after consultations with their constituents.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule praised the lawmakers for reflecting public demand, noting that Nigerians have long called for policing structures at the subnational level to complement federal efforts.
“With this voting, the 10th Assembly is fully in support of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill 2026,” Amaewhule said.
He added that the measure would strengthen security nationwide by allowing state-level police to work alongside federal officers.
The bill contains 26 clauses, including 25 alterations to sections of the principal Act, covering provisions such as Sections 84(4), 89(2), 121(3), 124(4), 109(2), 153(1), 157(2), 158(1), and 160.
Amaewhule explained that the amendment would provide a constitutional pathway for state police services while empowering the National Assembly to set minimum policing standards.
Rivers joins Osun State, which was the first legislature to approve the amendment. The National Assembly has clarified that only the State Police Services Bill was transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly, not the entire package of constitutional
alterations.