The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has asserted that Nigeria’s escalating security crisis could be significantly reduced within six months if the Federal Government approves the creation of state police.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Adams said nationwide support for state policing has grown stronger than ever, with leaders across all six geopolitical zones now aligned on the proposal. He noted that opposition to the idea has greatly diminished, particularly in the North.
“Across the six geopolitical zones, there is now a shared agreement on the need for state police. Our Northern brothers — including governors and traditional rulers — also support it,” he said.
Adams explained that the major hurdles remaining are legislative and presidential approvals. “If the National Assembly passes the bill and the president signs it into law, insecurity in this country can be drastically reduced within six months,” he stated.
While acknowledging the impact of the South-West security outfit, Amotekun, Adams stressed that the regional force does not possess the advanced weapons or legal authority necessary to confront heavily armed criminal networks and terrorists.
He also referenced a recent meeting of Southern governors where a unified position was taken, declaring state police an essential component of true federalism and community-level security. Adams aligned himself fully with their stance, stating, “State police is not optional; it is a critical component of true federalism.”
Addressing concerns about potential political misuse of state-controlled police forces, Adams admitted the fears were valid but insisted that safeguarding lives must take precedence over politics.
“While those fears are understandable, the protection of lives must be our highest priority,” he concluded.
