The House of Representatives has passed a crucial bill to decentralize Nigeria's law enforcement infrastructure by establishing state police forces. 

The decision was finalized during a plenary session led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, where 289 lawmakers voted in favor of the constitutional amendment. The legislative push comes in response to a recent escalation in violent crimes, kidnappings, and banditry across the country.

The session experienced initial procedural friction when Representative Bashir Zubairu of Kaduna raised a point of order. Zubairu argued that the House Committee on Constitution Review had distributed the comprehensive proposal too late, leaving lawmakers insufficient time to review the document before voting. However, the Speaker ruled the objection out of order, allowing the proceedings to continue.

As the review of the bill's clauses progressed, the Speaker bypassed several additional attempts by lawmakers to raise points of order. Furthermore, due to a technical failure with the chamber's electronic voting system, the ballot was conducted manually using the attendance register.

The final tally recorded 289 votes in support of the decentralization and a single opposing vote from the 290 members present. Speaker Abbas abstained from the vote.