The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has stressed the urgent need for the Federal Government to establish state police in view of the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.
It urged President Bola Tinubu to transmit an executive bill to the National Assembly soonest on the matter which all sections of the country, and their leaders now support.
Afenifere restated its long-standing call for state police at a meeting held at the Akure, Ondo State home of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
In the communique read by its spokesmam, Comrade Jare Ajayi, after the meeting, Afenifere expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity despite ongoing efforts by both federal and state governments to contain the security crisis.
The meeting was chaired by a former Presidential candidate, ex-Secretary to the Federal Government, and now the Olu Of Ilu Abo, Oba Olu Falae.
According to Ajayi, the group welcomed current security interventions but insisted more needs to be done to safeguard lives and property.
His words, “Afenifere takes note of various efforts by governments to combat the rising insecurity in the country. While the security agencies are trying, a lot more needs to be done to achieve the desired outcomes”.
He said the group maintained that insecurity cannot be defeated through armed intervention alone but requires firm policy action rooted in truth, justice, and inclusiveness.
“Afenifere is recommending that state police be established without further delay. In this regard, we call on President Bola Tinubu to forward an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow for the creation of state police, in line with his public acknowledgment that state police is now a necessity”, he said.
The group further urged the Federal Government to procure and deploy modern security technologies, including drones, CCTV cameras, and trackers, to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering.
It also emphasized the need to address the problem of internal collaborators who are aiding criminals, noting that some security personnel, political officeholders, and community members have been complicit in the country’s security breaches.
On the issue of farmer-herder clashes, Afenifere called for immediate enforcement of anti-open grazing laws already enacted by some states and backed the Federal Government’s directive for the establishment of ranches.
“The enforcement of anti-open grazing laws must be prioritized. This, alongside the establishment of ranches, will help put a stop to the recurring clashes.”
Reiterating its long-standing position, Afenifere again called for urgent restructuring of the country, stressing that it remains the most viable solution to Nigeria’s socio-political and economic challenges.
“We strongly believe that the time for restructuring is now. We urge the Presidency to send a bill to the National Assembly to initiate the process immediately,” the group said.
