The Federal House of Representatives resolved to fast track legislative work for the establishment of State Police and a decentralised security architecture, warning that worsening kidnappings in Oyo State and other parts of the Country are exposing weaknesses in Nigeria’s centralised policing system.
The move followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, representing Oyo, over the kidnapping of more than 30 pupils and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 16.
The House resolved that the National Assembly and the Executive Arm must, without further excuse or delay, commence full implementation of this House’s adopted resolution on a decentralised and regional security architecture, the creation of State Police, Local Government policing units, decentralised courts, and an integrated national intelligence and surveillance network.
It noted that the people had waited long enough, and every further postponement is paid for in the blood of innocents, and brings the nation closer to being overrun.
Lawmakers condemned the killing of Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher who was reportedly beheaded by his abductors while in captivity, describing the incident as barbaric and a reflection of worsening insecurity around the Old Oyo National Park axis.
