The Senate has explained that the Federal Capital Territory was excluded from the proposed state police arrangement because it does not have a governor or a State House of Assembly.

According to the Senate, the FCT remains directly administered by the Federal Government, unlike the 36 states where governors and state legislatures would oversee the proposed policing structure.

The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions over the proposed establishment of state police as part of efforts to improve Nigeria's security architecture. Supporters of the arrangement argue that decentralised policing would enable authorities to respond more effectively to local security challenges.

The Senate said the unique administrative structure of the FCT makes its inclusion in the proposed state police framework different from that of the states. The territory is governed through federal institutions rather than an elected governor, State House of Assembly.

The proposal for state police has generated widespread debate, with proponents highlighting the potential benefits of local policing, while critics have raised concerns over possible political interference, funding, accountability.

Discussions on the framework remain ongoing as the National Assembly considers constitutional amendments aimed at restructuring Nigeria's policing system.