.As Lagos Police probe threat to First Bank MD after receiving live ammunition parcel
Ignatius Okorocha, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has formally transmitted the proposed State Police Bill to the Senate.
This has set the stage for what could become one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture since the return to democratic rule.
The bill, titled Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, was on Tuesday read for the first time during plenary.
It was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for accelerated consideration.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read the President’s communication to lawmakers.
Akpabio remarked that the proposed constitutional amendment seeks to address longstanding concerns over Nigeria’s centralised policing system and establish a framework for state-controlled police services alongside the federal police.
He said President Tinubu considered the legislation as crucial to restructuring the nation’s security framework and urged the National Assembly to give it speedy consideration.
The Senate President disclosed that the upper chamber would streamline the legislative process to ensure the bill is transmitted to state Houses of Assembly as quickly as possible.
He urged state legislative houses to act promptly when they received the bill.
According to him, the proposal builds on previous work undertaken by both chambers of the National Assembly and contains safeguards for a dual policing structure comprising federal and state police services.
He said advocates of state policing believe that decentralising law enforcement would make security operations more proactive, effective and responsive to local realities.
Akpabio noted that bringing policing closer to communities, local government areas and municipalities would encourage greater citizen participation in security efforts and improve intelligence gathering.
He further argued that locally based police formations would be better positioned to identify criminal elements and prevent infiltration by external actors because residents are more familiar with individuals within their communities.
“The objective is to move from a reactive security system to one that promotes early detection and proactive response to security threats,” he said.
Following its first reading, the bill was referred to the Constitution Review Committee with a directive to report back within days.
Senators are expected to consider the committee’s recommendations collectively before taking a final decision on the legislation.
Akpabio commended members of the Constitution Review Committee for nearly two years of work on the proposal, describing it as a critical component of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security sector.
Lawmakers linked the urgency of the bill to persistent security challenges across the country, expressing optimism that the measure could strengthen efforts to combat insurgency, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.
Meanwhile, following the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Senate had to adjourn plenary to Wednesday for further consideration of the Bill, to second and third readings.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), Oluwasegun Alebiosu, received a parcel containing two live rounds of ammunition at his Lagos residence, prompting an ongoing investigation by security agencies.
Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Ikeja, where he reviewed major achievements recorded by the command over the past two weeks.
Describing the incident as a serious security concern, the police chief said the parcel was delivered to Alebiosu’s residence in the upscale Ikoyi area of Lagos on May 7, 2026, and was reported to the police shortly afterward.
“There is a case like that we are presently investigating, and it happened precisely on the 7th of May, 2026,” Fatai said.
“The MD of First Bank reported that he received a parcel that was collected for him by his guard in his house, and after opening the parcel, he saw two live rounds of ammunition. The ammunition is precisely 7.2mm ammunition. The matter aroused serious concern, and we immediately commenced investigations.”
The commissioner noted that no arrests had been made in connection with the case but assured that investigators were pursuing all available leads to uncover those behind the act.
According to him, while the complainant provided the names of some individuals he suspected, the police would rely strictly on evidence and facts gathered during the investigation.
“Although the complainant mentioned some people he thinks were behind the act, that is his own suspicion anyway. I can assure you that our investigations will unravel those who are truly behind the matter,” he stated.
Fatai urged members of the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue, stressing that no individual or organisation has been officially linked to the incident.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
Sources familiar with the case said the package was delivered by a dispatch rider and received by security personnel at Alebiosu’s residence before being handed over to him because it was marked confidential and addressed directly to the bank chief.
Upon opening the parcel, Alebiosu reportedly found two live bullets concealed inside an unmarked envelope, with no accompanying note, message, or information that could identify the sender.
The incident reportedly occurred amid ongoing reforms and operational restructuring within First Bank, including intensified efforts to recover outstanding debts from loan defaulters.
Bank sources said the discovery immediately triggered security concerns, leading management to notify the Lagos State Police Command and other security agencies.
Investigators are yet to determine the motive behind the parcel, although a source close to the bank described it as a possible attempt to intimidate the institution’s leadership.
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