By Ayodele Oni
Factional secretary of the Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni has called for urgent action on state police, saying fire-brigade deployment of federal security forces after each strike of terror is infeasible, ineffective in protection of citizens.
In a statement in Akure, Ondo state, Ebiseni pointed out that If there is any issue on which there is consensus currently in Nigeria, it is that the time for State Police is now.
He added: “Contrary to the published content of the IG’s Memo, the State Police cannot tarry for a 60- month gestation period.
“Its structure and recruitment will not be determined by the Federal Police or constituted by as many as 60% of federal police officers from the State concerned. The fire power should be no less than possessed by the Federal Police or the terrorists they are recruited to tackle.
“In Yoruba land, the Amotekun Regional Security Network only requires immediate upgrading as State Police with appropriate and commensurate fire power and continuous training. They are prepared physically and mentally for the task ahead.
“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 be not taken.
“Political actors are advised that the issue of current insecurity should be of national concern to all, the same way Nigerians teamed together to fight Covid 19 and not to be used as a possible object of political gain.
“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, while such permanent engagements strip the military of the awesomeness of its invincibility.
“The current Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, soon as he shook hands with Mr. President after his appointment, declared support for State Police and subsequently submitted a Memorandum to the National Assembly for consequential alteration of the Constitution.
“The same declaration of commitment to State Police was made last week by the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele in the same spirit with which the House of Representatives started some debate over it yesterday.
“While the military and other armed forces are highly commended and appreciated in their patriotic combative assaults against insurgency and terrorism, their members are however admonished to shun any temptation or ill-advised encouragement and recruitment for intervention in civil and democratic governance.”
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