Security groups in Nigeria’s South-west have welcomed the National Assembly’s passage of a bill seeking to establish state police, describing it as a significant step towards tackling rising insecurity through locally driven policing.
The groups, however, noted that the effectiveness of the proposed policing structure would depend on the quality of collaboration between government authorities and community-based security organisations.
Their position was outlined in a statement issued following a joint meeting of the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) and the Oodua Unity Group (OUG), held on Wednesday at the residence of the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams. The statement was jointly signed by SSSG Publicity Secretary, Ireti Adewole, and OUG Secretary, Kola Aare.
The groups reiterated that the bill would empower states to take direct control of security challenges and facilitate faster, localised responses. The legislation seeks to establish a state policing structure that operates concurrently with the existing federal police system.
Call for collaboration
