The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has warned that continued delay in establishing state police in Nigeria could push citizens toward self-help security measures, worsening the country’s insecurity challenges.
The group also criticised what it described as a “reactive and fire-brigade” approach by the Federal Government in responding to attacks, arguing that it has proven ineffective in protecting lives and property.
In a statement issued in Akure, Ondo State, Afenifere’s Secretary General, Chief Sola Ebiseni, said there was growing national consensus on the need for decentralised policing.
“If there is any issue on which there is consensus currently in Nigeria, it is that the time for state police is now,” he said.
Ebiseni warned that continued delay could deepen insecurity and trigger ethnic tensions if urgent reforms are not implemented.
“The unnecessary vacuum being created by the intolerable delay in ensuring state police may soon be filled by intractable ethnic wars in response to the natural instincts for self and kindred protection if no urgent and immediate action is taken,” he cautioned.
The group argued that Nigeria’s security challenges have become more complex, with terrorism now operating across borders and threatening national sovereignty.
Afenifere urged political leaders not to politicise insecurity, stressing that the crisis should be treated as a collective national emergency.
“The Federal Government should particularly note that terrorism is such a rapacious international scourge that seeking collaboration beyond borders for its termination is not tantamount to a surrender of national sovereignty,” Ebiseni said.
He further criticised the pattern of deploying security forces only after attacks have occurred, describing it as ineffective, especially in rural communities and farming areas.
“The fire-brigade deployment of federal security forces after each strike of terror is infeasible, ineffective in the protection of citizens, including particularly the farmers scattered in the huge ungoverned spaces all over the country,” he said.
Afenifere also referenced ongoing national discussions around policing reforms, noting that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had previously expressed support for state policing and submitted proposals for constitutional consideration.
However, the group rejected aspects of the proposal suggesting a prolonged transition period, insisting that urgent action was needed.
“Contrary to the published content of the IG memo, state police cannot tarry for a 60-month gestation period,” Ebiseni said.
He added that regional security initiatives such as Amotekun in the South-West should be strengthened and upgraded into full state police structures.
“In Yorubaland, the Amotekun regional security network only requires immediate upgrading as state police with appropriate and commensurate firepower and continuous training,” he stated.
While commending the armed forces for their efforts against insurgency, Afenifere cautioned against involving the military in civil governance matters, urging focus on professional security responsibilities.
