President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the House of Representatives to approve a constitutional amendment that would establish state police services across Nigeria, marking another major step in the Federal Government’s efforts to reform the country’s security architecture.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the President transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, seeking lawmakers’ approval to amend the 1999 Constitution and provide the legal framework for the creation and operation of state police.

According to Tinubu, the proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security system by creating a constitutional basis for state policing while complementing existing federal law enforcement structures.

“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the President stated.

The President explained that the bill builds on previous legislative work already undertaken by the House of Representatives and introduces additional safeguards to ensure the effective implementation of a dual policing structure involving both federal and state security agencies.

He noted that the proposed framework is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by promoting a more responsive and efficient policing system.

“This Bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

Tinubu described the legislation as a critical part of his administration’s plan to reorganise and modernise Nigeria’s security architecture, expressing confidence that lawmakers would give the proposal swift consideration.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens and I am confident that the House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” Tinubu added.

The President further appealed to members of the House to expedite deliberations on the bill, stressing that the proposed constitutional reforms would play a vital role in improving public safety and strengthening the nation’s overall security framework.

The latest development comes less than two weeks after the Senate approved a similar constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police services nationwide.

The proposal passed second reading after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele presented its general principles before lawmakers. Senators later considered the bill clause by clause before approving it at third reading.

The amendment secured the support of more than two-thirds of members of the Senate, satisfying the constitutional requirement for altering the 1999 Constitution.

With the President now forwarding the State Police Bill to the House of Representatives, the proposed amendment has gathered fresh momentum as the Federal Government continues its push to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and strengthen responses to the country’s growing security challenges.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application by the presidential candidate of the African Action Alliance (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking a lengthy adjournment in his alleged cyberbullying trial involving President Bola Tinubu.

The case, instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), resumed before Justice Mohammed Umar, where the court ruled that the defence must proceed without further delay.

Sowore, through his lawyer, Raphael Adakole, had urged the court to postpone the defence stage of the trial until after the court’s annual vacation.

Adakole explained that the lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was outside the country and therefore unavailable to continue with the proceedings.

The request was strongly opposed by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who informed the court that the defendant had already secured 10 previous adjournments during the course of the trial.

Kehinde further reminded the court that it had earlier ordered an accelerated day-to-day hearing in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, arguing that granting another lengthy adjournment would contradict that directive.

In a short ruling, Justice Umar rejected the application, relying on the court’s previous order for an accelerated hearing of the matter.

The judge subsequently directed Sowore to return to court on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.

Earlier during the proceedings, Sowore’s first defence witness, Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju, told the court that President Tinubu had publicly stated during an official visit to Benue State that Nigerians have the right to criticise, insult and call him names, urging law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ democratic freedoms.

Adeyanju also testified that the President had stressed that the judiciary should remain a protector of the people rather than becoming an instrument for suppressing critics.

Video clips containing the President’s alleged remarks were played before the court.

During cross-examination by the DSS counsel, Adeyanju admitted that he previously represented Sowore as his lawyer before withdrawing from the case.

He also acknowledged making comments on social media regarding his personal experiences with arrest and prosecution in similar legal matters.

However, Adeyanju agreed that President Tinubu never suggested that individuals who violate the law should be exempt from legal consequences.

Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 16 for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.

Parents of pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity have said they are not ready to send their children back to the schools where they were abducted, citing lingering trauma and concerns over their safety.

While expressing gratitude to God, the Federal Government, security agencies and everyone involved in securing the release of the victims, many parents said the psychological impact of the ordeal remains too overwhelming for their children to immediately return to the affected schools.

The pupils and their teachers were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed terrorists invaded Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele, located near Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

During the attack, 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken into the forests around the Old Oyo National Park, where they remained in captivity for 56 days. Two teachers lost their lives during the attack before security operatives eventually rescued the remaining victims.

Despite the successful rescue operation, many families said the incident has permanently shaken their confidence in the security of the schools, with several now considering transferring their children to other institutions.

A relative of one of the rescued pupils, Fausat Akindele, said the traumatic experience had completely changed how parents viewed the schools.

“What happened has changed everything for us. We thank God our children are back, but the fear remains. Parents need convincing assurances that the schools are now safe before they can confidently allow their children to return,” she said.

Another family member, Basirat Adigun, described the experience as one that continues to affect both the children and their parents.

“No parent wants to expose a child to another tragedy after what these children went through. We appreciate the efforts that secured their release, but we need to see concrete security measures around the schools and surrounding communities before considering their return,” she said.

Adenike, whose sister’s children were among those abducted, stressed that the emotional recovery of the victims should be prioritised over their immediate return to school.

“Education is important, but the children’s emotional well-being and parents’ confidence in their safety must come first. Returning them to the same environment immediately will be difficult unless there is certainty that adequate protection is in place,” she said.

Reacting to the concerns, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, acknowledged that the fears expressed by parents were understandable considering the traumatic ordeal they had endured.

He noted that many families might choose to enrol their children in different schools despite the inconvenience, adding that the state government appreciates the emotional burden parents have carried over the past two months.

According to Oyelade, the Oyo State Government has already begun upgrading facilities at the affected schools through the Ministry of Education while also working to improve security in the surrounding communities.

He explained that while school infrastructure is the responsibility of the state government, security falls largely under the Federal Government. He expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between both levels of government would help restore public confidence and eventually encourage parents to allow their children to resume their education safely.

A 60-year-old headmaster in Oyo State has been abducted by suspected gunmen, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding ₦30 million as ransom for his release.

The victim, Matthew Kolawale Owoade, who serves as the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening while returning home from his farm in the Budo Aare area.

According to family members, the abductors later contacted relatives using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded ₦30 million before he would be released.

The victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said the incident occurred between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. while his father was travelling back from the farm.

Family members and local residents launched a search after he failed to return home, and his motorcycle was later discovered abandoned in a nearby bush on Sunday morning.

The discovery heightened fears that the school administrator had been forcibly taken away by his abductors.

The incident has created panic among teachers, residents and members of the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, who have appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victim safely.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had already launched an operation to rescue the headmaster and arrest those responsible for the abduction.

According to the police spokesperson, Owoade was kidnapped while at his farm, adding that security operatives were actively working to secure his safe release.

The latest kidnapping has once again raised concerns about the growing wave of abductions for ransom across several parts of Nigeria, with residents calling on authorities to strengthen security in rural and vulnerable communities to prevent similar attacks.