By Isiaka Mustapha Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the proposed constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of state police, joining the Osun and Edo State Houses of Assembly in supporting the initiative.The bill, which was transmitted to state legislatures by the National Assembly on September 16, 2026, seeks to create a constitutional framework for a decentralised policing system across the country. Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly must endorse the amendment before it can be forwarded to the President for assent.The Rivers Assembly unanimously adopted the proposal during plenary on Monday, presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule. The lawmakers voted in support of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, 2022, which provides a legal pathway for the establishment of state police services while retaining the Federal Police Service as the primary policing institution until any state police service is lawfully established and certified operational.Before the vote, Amaewhule reminded lawmakers that constitutional amendments require approval by two thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly and endorsement by not less than two thirds of the state Houses of Assembly. He explained that the Assembly’s role was limited to either approving or rejecting the proposed alteration.The Speaker noted that the bill contains 26 clauses, including 25 amendments and substitutions to existing constitutional provisions. According to him, the proposal outlines safeguards covering civilian oversight, human rights protection, national policing standards, independent police service commissions, intergovernmental cooperation, criminal information management, firearms control and federal intervention in exceptional circumstances such as security breakdowns or serious abuse of authority.Following the reading of the bill, all 25 lawmakers present voted in favour, with no dissenting vote or abstention. Announcing the outcome, Amaewhule declared that the 10th Rivers State Assembly had fully endorsed the amendment. He said the Assembly supports efforts aimed at strengthening the protection of lives and property and described the introduction of state police as a significant step towards improving security at the grassroots level. He also expressed confidence that other state legislatures would support the initiative in the interest of national security and public safety.If you want it in PSM pure news style with six short paragraphs and a stronger headline, I can further tighten it.