The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 1999 Constitution Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, which provides a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services in Nigeria.
The approval was given on Monday September 28, 2026 during the 54th Legislative Sitting of the House, following the reading of a letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
The Bill, transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly in line with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, seeks to create a constitutional route for the establishment of State Police Services, subject to the Constitution and national minimum policing standards prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
It also provides that the Federal Police Service would remain the default police service in a state until a State Police Service Commission is lawfully established and certified operational.
According to the statement, the Bill leaves details relating to the organisation, procedures, operational control, certification and implementation of State Police Services to subsequent Acts of the National Assembly and, where applicable, laws enacted by State Houses of Assembly.
Speaking before putting the Bill to a vote, the Speaker, Amaewhule, stressed the need for a State policing system with constitutional safeguards for civilian control, human rights protection, criminal information management and prevention of abuse.
When the Speaker put the question, members of the House unanimously voted in favour of the Bill, approving it in its entirety.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has therefore joined other State Houses of Assembly that have approved the 1999 Constitution Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026.
