Insecurity: Ondo APC Urges Nat. Assembly To Pass State Police Bill

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advocated passage of the State Police Bill by  the National Assembly as a panacea to the current security challenges in the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Media & Publicity of the party, Steve Otaloro, on Saturday in Akure.

The party expressed deep concern over the heightened insecurity confronting Nigeria, “from persistent rural banditry, violent herdsmen attacks, kidnapping, and urban criminal activities, to the growing infiltration of extremist groups across national borders, the country is experiencing a new and dangerous phase of insecurity that demands urgent and innovative solutions.”

“In view of the present security realities and the ongoing debate across the country on the creation of State Police, the APC Ondo State calls on National Assembly lawmakers to speed up deliberations and pass a comprehensive bill allowing states to create and manage their own police structures.

“We commend the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for its intensified efforts in combating these threats.

“The enhanced deployment of security personnel, acquisition of modern hardware, improved intelligence operations, and stronger cooperation with state governments reflect a renewed commitment to national safety.

“These efforts have yielded notable progress in stabilising several flashpoints and restoring hope to affected communities.

“However, it is increasingly clear that the Nigeria Police Force, despite its dedication and sacrifices, cannot fully secure every community across the federation without structured support from state-level policing systems.

“The ongoing debates across the federation and in the National Assembly on the creation of State Police show that the nation has reached a consensus point: Nigeria needs a multi-layered policing framework to respond to today’s realities.

“This position is one long championed by late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, former Governor of Ondo State, whose strong advocacy for decentralised policing laid the groundwork for a new security paradigm.

“He foresaw the dangers of unchecked banditry, cross-border terrorism, and widespread attacks on farmlands at a time when many underestimated the severity of these threats.

“Akeredolu’s response was visionary the establishment of the Amotekun Corps, a regional security network designed to complement federal security agencies.

“Despite stiff resistance from the Federal Government at the time, including legal obstacles from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, he stood firmly on constitutional principles.

“His determination ensured that Amotekun did not die at inception but became a model for effective community policing across the Southwest.

“The APC Ondo State also commends Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who, as Deputy Governor, was deeply involved in the strategy sessions, legal consultations, and operational planning that birthed Amotekun.

“His first-hand knowledge of the security architecture has enabled him, upon assuming office, to strengthen and modernise the corps through enhanced training and retraining programmes; improved operational equipment and logistics, expanded intelligence-gathering capacity;  better welfare packages for operatives; closer collaboration with federal security agencies.

“These interventions have earned Amotekun national praise for discipline, professionalism, and measurable results. Governor Aiyedatiwa has demonstrated that a committed state leader can elevate community policing to match evolving security threats, thus preserving and expanding the legacy of his predecessor.

“The proposed bill will empower states to train and manage policing units suited to their local needs; reduce the operational burden on the Nigeria Police Force; strengthen local intelligence networks; greatly limit banditry, herder attacks, kidnapping, and communal clashes; enable the Federal Government to focus more effectively on counterterrorism and border security.

“We therefore urge the National Assembly to rise above political differences, partisan calculations, and ethnic jingoism, and unite behind this patriotic legislation. This is a moment for national leadership, not division.

“Nigeria’s security future depends on bold reforms that combine federal capacity with state-level responsiveness.

“The success of Amotekun—pioneered by Akeredolu and sustained by Aiyedatiwa—has already shown that state-backed community policing works and is indispensable.

“Passing the proposed State Police Bill, named in honour of a leader who saw tomorrow, will strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and secure the nation for generations to come.”