Nigeria, June 24 -- The Senate on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services across Nigeria, marking a major step toward restructuring the country's security architecture.

The bill was approved after lawmakers considered and adopted its 26 clauses during the Committee of the Whole.

If eventually enacted, the legislation will create a constitutional framework allowing states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the existing federal police system. The proposal is aimed at improving security, strengthening intelligence gathering, and ensuring quicker responses to local threats.

Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, described it as one of the mo...