Afenifere Calls For Immediate Upgrade Of Amotekun To State Police Amid Escalating South-West Insecurity

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The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has urged the Federal Government to urgently establish state police across Nigeria, warning that continued delays could push communities toward self-help measures as insecurity worsens in many parts of the country.

In a statement issued in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Afenifere Secretary-General, Chief Sola Ebiseni, said there is now widespread agreement among Nigerians that the creation of state police can no longer be postponed.

According to him, the absence of a decentralised policing structure has created a dangerous security gap that could eventually trigger ethnic conflicts and community-based self-defence arrangements if immediate action is not taken.

Ebiseni stressed that citizens naturally seek to protect themselves, their families, and their communities when government security systems fail to provide adequate protection. He warned that the prolonged delay in establishing state police could lead to serious consequences for national unity and stability.

Afenifere also criticised the Federal Government’s approach of deploying security personnel only after attacks have occurred, describing it as ineffective in addressing the country’s growing security challenges. The group argued that such reactive measures have failed to provide lasting protection for vulnerable communities, particularly farmers and residents of remote rural areas frequently targeted by criminal elements.

The organisation called on political leaders across the country to treat insecurity as a national emergency rather than a political issue. It urged stakeholders to adopt the same level of urgency and collective commitment that characterised Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ebiseni further stated that Nigeria has increasingly become a target of international terrorist networks pursuing territorial ambitions. He maintained that the Federal Government should not hesitate to seek international cooperation and intelligence-sharing arrangements to combat terrorism effectively.

According to him, collaborating with foreign partners in the fight against terrorism should not be viewed as a surrender of national sovereignty but as a practical strategy for addressing a global security threat.

The Afenifere leader also expressed concern that the Nigerian Armed Forces, once renowned for their peacekeeping roles across West Africa, have become overstretched due to multiple internal security operations across the country.

He noted that the repeated deployment of federal security forces after terrorist attacks has proven insufficient and unsustainable, particularly in vast ungoverned areas where criminal groups operate freely. He argued that a decentralised policing system would enable states to respond more rapidly and effectively to local security threats.

Afenifere recalled that Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had previously expressed support for state police and submitted recommendations on constitutional amendments to the National Assembly. The group also welcomed endorsements of state police by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and ongoing discussions within the House of Representatives.

However, Ebiseni disagreed with aspects of the Inspector-General’s proposal, especially the suggestion of a 60-month transition period before the full implementation of state police.

He argued that Nigeria’s security situation requires immediate action rather than a prolonged transition process. He further stated that state police structures should not be controlled by the Federal Police and should possess operational capabilities comparable to those of both federal security agencies and the criminal groups they are expected to confront.

Addressing security arrangements in the South-West, Ebiseni said the Amotekun Regional Security Network is already well-positioned to evolve into a full-fledged state police system.

According to him, Amotekun only requires stronger legal backing, improved equipment, enhanced firepower, and continuous professional training to effectively perform state policing functions.

He noted that Amotekun operatives possess extensive knowledge of local communities, terrain, and security dynamics, making them ideal for grassroots security operations and intelligence gathering.

While commending the military and other security agencies for their efforts in tackling insurgency and criminal activities nationwide, Afenifere urged security personnel to remain professional and avoid involvement in partisan politics or any actions that could undermine democratic governance.

The group maintained that lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges lie in comprehensive reforms, decentralised policing, stronger community intelligence networks, and a security framework that empowers states to protect their residents more effectively.