The Imo State House of Assembly has unanimously approved a proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police Services in Nigeria, supporting efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen security across the country.
The resolution was adopted during plenary on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following deliberations on a bill transmitted by the National Assembly to state legislatures for consideration.
Leading the debate, the House Leader and member representing Owerri West State Constituency, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, said the proposed amendment was aimed at improving responses to security challenges and protecting lives and property.
Onyemaechi explained that the National Assembly had forwarded the bill to state assemblies for consideration as part of the constitutional amendment process.
He urged lawmakers to support the proposal, arguing that state-level policing could improve security coordination and enable law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.
According to him, communities possess valuable knowledge of their environments, which could help security operatives gather intelligence, identify threats and respond promptly to emerging security challenges.
He also said the proposed arrangement could create employment opportunities while strengthening security at the grassroots.
The Chief Whip and member representing Oru East State Constituency, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, seconded the motion, which attracted contributions from lawmakers representing various constituencies across the state.
Those who participated in the debate included Hon. Clinton Amadi of Owerri Municipal; Hon. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu of Oguta; Hon. Chisom Ojukwu of Nkwerre; Hon. Johnson Duru of Ideato South; Rt. Hon. Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh of Obowo; and Hon. Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie of Mbaitoli.
Others were Hon. Ikenna Martins Ihezuo of Orlu; Hon. Sam Ikechukwu Osuji of Isiala Mbano; Hon. Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum of Owerri North; Hon. Ozioma Worship Ebonine of Njaba; Hon. Uzoma Francis Osuoha of Ohaji/Egbema; Hon. Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam of Ehime Mbano; and Hon. Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie of Aboh Mbaise.
Also contributing were Hon. Okey Ernest Udeze of Ideato North; Hon. Johnleona Iheoha of Ikeduru; Hon. Prince Obinna Ambrose Egu of Ngor Okpala; Hon. Uche Francis Agabige of Orsu; Hon. Henry Agbasonu of Ezinihitte Mbaise; Hon. Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba of Isu; and Hon. Chidiebere Samuel Ogbunikpa of Okigwe.
During the debate, lawmakers expressed support for a policing structure they said could improve local intelligence gathering and make security responses more responsive to the needs of individual communities.
At the end of deliberations, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, put the motion to a vote, and the lawmakers present unanimously adopted the proposal.
The resolution approved the proposed alteration of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters.
Following the adoption, the Clerk of the House was directed to transmit the resolution to the Clerk of the National Assembly for further legislative action.