“My Vision for State Police Is Becoming Reality” — Donald Amamgbo Applauds Senate, Says Reform Was Central to His Campaign

Former ADC candidate for the August 2025 Anambra South Senatorial District by-election, Barr. Donald Amamgbo, has applauded the Nigerian Senate for passing the Constitution Amendment Bill seeking to establish state police, describing the development as a major step towards tackling Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.

In a statement released on Sunday, Amamgbo commended the leadership of the Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the Constitution Review Committee headed by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and all senators who supported the bill.

He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, attorneys-general, traditional rulers, security experts, civil society organisations, and other patriotic Nigerians whose support and advocacy made the progress on state policing possible.

According to him, the Senate’s action represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for a more effective, community-based security architecture capable of responding swiftly to local security threats.

Amamgbo recalled that the creation of state police was one of the major legislative priorities he presented to the people during his campaign for the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election. He said he had pledged to sponsor constitutional amendment bills, move strategic motions, and mobilise fellow lawmakers to ensure the establishment of state police if elected to the Senate.

He explained that his position was informed by the frightening security situation that had gripped Anambra South and other parts of the state at the time. According to him, kidnapping for ransom had become a recurring nightmare, with many victims losing their lives despite paying huge sums to their abductors.

He noted that the insecurity claimed prominent victims, including a lawmaker from Anambra South who was abducted and slain brutally, while another lawmaker from Anambra North was abducted and later found dead in a bush near the Second Niger Bridge. He said those tragic incidents strengthened his resolve to advocate for a policing system that would be closer to the people and better equipped to prevent and combat crime.

Amamgbo expressed optimism that state police would improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to criminal activities, strengthen collaboration with local communities, and significantly reduce violent crimes across the country while operating within constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse.

Amamgbo welcomed the overwhelming endorsement of the proposed constitutional amendment by the Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, describing it as a strong demonstration of national consensus on the need to decentralise policing. He urged the state legislatures to sustain the momentum by expeditiously ratifying the bill, stressing that the security of lives and property must remain a collective national priority above political considerations.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting reforms and legislation that promote security, good governance, and sustainable national development, adding that the establishment of state police would mark a new chapter in Nigeria’s efforts to secure its citizens and protect communities.