The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has emphasized that the time has come for Nigeria to establish state police forces. He believes this move is critical to addressing the nation’s persistent security challenges.
Speaking at the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) state primary elections held in Ibadan on Thursday, Makinde called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritize the creation of state police without further delay. He argued that this would significantly enhance the country’s security framework.
According to Makinde, state police would empower local authorities to gather intelligence more effectively. This, in turn, would enable states to respond promptly and appropriately to security threats within their jurisdictions.
The governor stressed that the current security architecture is insufficient to curb criminal activities. He noted that decentralizing the police force would bring security closer to the people and improve overall safety.
Makinde’s remarks come amid growing concerns over insecurity across Nigeria. His call for state police aligns with similar demands from other stakeholders who argue that the federal police force alone cannot handle the country’s diverse security needs.