House approves constitution bill to create state police

The House of Representatives has voted to amend the constitution and allow states to run their own police, marking a key shift in Nigeria’s security structure. According to a report by Vanguard Newspaper, lawmakers on Thursday approved the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 during a session of the Committee of the Whole led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, presented the report and pushed for support, saying decentralised policing is needed to fight insecurity.

The vote was done by show of hands. It ended with 289 members in support, one abstention, and no votes against.

The bill amends Section 214 to create two policing levels: Federal Police and State Police. The National Assembly will define how the Federal Police is structured and set minimum rules for state police outfits.

States must pass their own laws and meet national standards before their police can operate. Where a state police does not exist, the Federal Police will keep handling security in that state.

To limit federal overreach, the bill says the Federal Police can only intervene if law and order breaks down completely, if a governor asks for help, or if a state police can no longer function due to finance or admin issues.

Appointment rules also change. Under the amended Section 215, the President will appoint the Inspector-General of Police from serving Federal Police officers, based on advice from the Nigeria Police Council and with National Assembly approval.

At the state level, governors will appoint Commissioners of Police from serving State Police officers, also on the Council’s advice and subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

Governors may issue lawful orders on public safety to State Commissioners. If a commissioner finds a directive unlawful or against policing standards, the dispute will go to the Nigeria Police Council for a final ruling.

The bill further amends Section 84 to replace “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission."

Next, the bill goes to the Senate. To become law, it needs approval from two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly and the President’s signature.

If passed, the law would create a multi-tier police system designed to tackle banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes through local response.

The Evolution Of Igbo Highlife Music: An Exclusive Interview With Professor Onye Egwu

H ighlife music is a genre that has been harmonizing culture and beats in Nigeria and across Africa for decades. In this interview, Nigerian highlife singer CHIBUIKE JOHNPAUL ANEKWE , best known by his stage name " PROFESSOR ONYE EGWU ", shares his journey, influences, and vision for Igbo highlife. As a visual artist, he brings a unique perspective to the genre, drawing inspiration from Igbo highlife legends. He also discusses his collaboration plans and reveals his plans to introduce Igbo highlife to new audiences. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. 1. Can you share a bit about yourself, and when did your love for highlife start? My full name is Chibuike Johnpaul Anekwe, though I am more widely recognized by my stage name, Professor Onye Egwu. Apart from music, I am a visual artist. I guess I was born with music, because I started playing as early as when I was in Primary School. I would always assemble all sorts of tins like in typical drums set up and play to my delight....

NANS Threatens to Shut Down MTN Over Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

T he National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a final warning to South Africa over violent attacks on Nigerians, saying major businesses like MTN could be forced out of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters reported. NANS sent a letter to South African High Commissioner Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku in Abuja, expressing anger at what it called continuous and brutal xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa. The letter, signed by NANS President Comrade Atiku Isah, said the association speaks for over 40 million Nigerian students. Isah said the group would no longer tolerate what he called the systematic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. NANS said it was unacceptable for South Africans to attack other Africans. The group noted Nigeria’s key role in ending Apartheid, stating that Nigeria provided financial and diplomatic backing and made huge sacrifices for South Africa’s freedom. The association said the current violence go...

Unveiling '3 Cold Dishes': A Gripping Tale of Survival, Revenge, and Justice

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN H uman trafficking has been a significant issue affecting millions worldwide, causing long term physical and emotional harm to victims. In this interview, Nigerian award-winning filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi Samson reveals how he started as a filmmaker and unveils what prompted him to shed light on the harrowing reality of human trafficking through the movie " 3 Cold Dishes ," which explores themes of trauma , revenge , and survival , showcasing women's strength and resilience in the face of human trafficking. Asurf Oluseyi, founder of Asurf Films Ltd ., directed the movie " A Day with Death ," which received 10 international nominations and won Best Short Film at AMVCA 2016 . He is also the director of the movie " Hakkunde ," which represented Nigeria at the 50th anniversary edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 2019. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN brings excerpts. 1. How did yo...

SEPTEMBER TOP SCOOPS IN NIGERIA

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Afriland & Central Plaza Infernos: A Call to Action for Enhanced Fire Safety F ire outbreaks remain a persistent crisis in Nigeria, claiming lives and destroying properties. The two recent incidents in Lagos show how severe it can be. On September 16, 2025 , around 1:20 pm, a fire broke out at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island . The inferno was triggered by an electrical fault in the basement of inverter batteries in the building, which resulted in the tragic loss of ten lives due to smoke spreading via air-conditioning ducts. The deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning . According to national dailies, at least 25 people were injured. The high-rise building harbored different firms, including United Bank for Africa (UBA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc . Just hours later, between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, anothe...

16 Nigerian Directors Behind Afrobeats’ Global Visual Identity

A s Afrobeats has gone global and earned worldwide recognition, the directors behind its most watched videos have become key cultural figures. These Nigerian filmmakers turn hit songs into cinematic stories that reach millions, blending local culture with bold creative ideas. Their work has helped define how the world sees Afrobeats. The directors below are presented in no order of importance or ranking. Each has made a distinct mark on the genre’s visual growth. Director Pink P raise Onyeagwalam is one of the few prominent female directors in Afrobeats. She broke through with Chike and Simi’s “Running To You,” a video praised for its emotional storytelling. Through Pinkline Films and Pinkline Academy, she directs high profile work and trains emerging filmmakers. Kemzart A diukwu Daniel Nkemakolam, known professionally as Kemzart, is a Nigerian director recognized for concept-driven visuals. He gained prominence with Shallipopi’s “Cast” and has since directed high-impact videos f...

Peter Okoye Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deal, Confirms New Single Release Date

N igerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as 'Mr P', has signed a five-year, multi-million dollar distribution deal and confirmed the release date for his forthcoming single. In a statement released to fans on Friday, May 1, 2026, the singer disclosed that he recently entered an agreement with an undisclosed distribution company. He noted that release dates will now be “strategically scheduled under the contract,” limiting his control over rollout timelines. “Because of this agreement, I don’t have full control over exactly when songs or the album drop,” Okoye wrote. The first single from his 'OG Forever' album is set for release in May 2026, with three to four singles to precede the full album, expected between October and November 2026. Okoye revealed that over 30 songs were recorded for 'OG Forever', with 15 to 16 tracks to make the final cut. He added that he will share details of the recording process with fans beginning this month. The deal covers two ...

The IMOIFF Creatives & Film Festival Sets to Hold 2026 Edition with "Local 2 Global" Theme

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he Imo International Film Festival (IMIFF) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed "Local 2 Global." Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental Film, among others. Technical awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress will also be high-profile h...

April Top Scoops In Nigeria

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ The CBEX SCAM: Red flags and Lessons B arely a few days after the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Emomotimi Agama, revealed in an interview on Arise TV that the new Investment and Securities Act (ISA 2025), recently signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, empowers the commission to arrest and prosecute promoters of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria, with at least 10 years' imprisonment, the month of April brought pains and tears dripping from the eyes to the cheeks of people who invested in CBEX, organized under ST Technologies International Limited, which was said to be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and was even listed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) Special Control Unit against money laundering. This well-coordinated scam became well-known after its crash, as it was revealed by the victims that they were lured into investing in the scheme with high returns after 30...

Translate

Search This Blog