The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeking to establish a constitutional framework for the creation of State Police Services in Nigeria.

 

The bill was passed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with 22 of the 25 members of the Assembly voting in favour, while three lawmakers were absent during plenary.

 

The development marks another step in the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system to improve security, strengthen intelligence gathering and enhance the protection of lives and property.

 

The passage followed deliberations by lawmakers on the proposed constitutional amendments and the potential benefits of bringing policing closer to communities across the state.

 

Cross River Lawmakers Back Decentralised Policing

Contributing to the debate, the Leader of the House and member representing Odukpani State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo, stressed the importance of decentralised policing in addressing security challenges at the grassroots.

 

Asuquo noted that a state-based policing system could improve security responses by enabling authorities to address threats peculiar to individual communities more effectively.

 

Similarly, the member representing Yala I State Constituency, Hon. Brian Odey, emphasised the need for effective coordination between state and federal security agencies.

 

He said the proposed State Police Services should complement existing security structures and strengthen overall security operations.

 

The Deputy Leader of the House and member representing Abi State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Davies Eta, called for adequate safeguards, accountability and professionalism in the proposed framework.

 

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Eta maintained that state police operatives must operate within the confines of the law and respect the fundamental rights of citizens.

 

Ayambem Explains Assembly’s Position

Speaking after the passage, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the decision reflected the 10th Assembly’s commitment to constitutional reforms designed to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

 

Ayambem emphasised that any state policing arrangement must be guided by the rule of law, accountability and democratic principles.

 

“By this vote, the 10th Assembly has demonstrated its support for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish a constitutional framework for State Police Services,” the Speaker said.

 

His remarks underscored the Assembly’s position that the proposed reform should be accompanied by measures to ensure that state police operate professionally and remain accountable under the law.

 

Bill Proposes 25 Constitutional Alterations

According to a statement issued by Matthew Okache, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, the bill contains 26 clauses and proposes 25 alterations through substitutions to provisions of the principal Act.

 

The sections listed for amendment include Sections 84(4), 89(2), 121(3), 124(4), 109(2), 153(1), 157(2), 158(1) and 160 of the Constitution.

 

The proposed amendments are intended to provide the constitutional foundation necessary for the establishment of State Police Services in Nigeria.

 

The Cross River Assembly’s approval represents the state legislature’s endorsement of the proposed constitutional changes. However, the passage of the bill at the state level does not automatically establish an operational state police service, as the wider constitutional amendment process must still be completed.

The statement was signed by Okache on October 20, 2026.