Ogun State Gov. Dapo Abiodun said more than 6,000 personnel in two state security corps could form the staffing base for a future police command as Nigeria’s proposed state-policing amendment advances.
Premium Times reported that Abiodun made the remarks at the 50th anniversary of Ereke Day in Ikenne. He said the combined figure covered the Ogun State Security Network, known as Amotekun, and the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, or So-Safe Corps. “We are ready for the Ogun State Police Command,” he said.
Abiodun gave no separate number for either corps. Ogun’s 2025 budget lists them as separate agencies but does not include staffing totals. He described the more-than-6,000 personnel as available to support the proposed command.
The Punch reported that the Ogun State House of Assembly adopted a resolution Oct. 20 supporting the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, on State Police Services. The assembly approved the resolution by voice vote after considering a committee report covering 26 clauses, the outlet reported.
Ogun’s House of Assembly was among 30 state assemblies that had approved the amendment by Nov. 4, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO) said. That exceeded the threshold of 24 approvals among Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies under Section 9 of the constitution.
The ministry said the proposal would give states more scope to address local security concerns through state police services. Abiodun said stronger security could help protect lives and property and create a safer environment for residents, businesses and investors.
FMINO said the Senate gave the six remaining assemblies until Nov. 15 to communicate their positions, a deadline the ministry said would pave the way for transmission of the amendment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
