The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged the National Assembly to revisit the bill seeking to establish state police, with a view to making it independent of the federal government. Rising from its caucus meeting on Thursday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the group specifically called for the state police to be placed on the Constitution's concurrent list.
Background and Legislative Progress
Both chambers of the National Assembly recently passed a bill to establish state police to address Nigeria's persistent security challenges. However, the constitutional amendment bill requires approval from two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to the president for assent. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposed legislation as “purely a child of necessity and not of political expediency as well as a product of national consensus and not of cynicism.”
While some political parties and groups have outrightly rejected the bill, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi called for the suspension of its implementation until after the 2027 general election.
Afenifere's Concerns and Recommendations
While lauding President Bola Tinubu and the federal legislature for their efforts to make state police a reality, Afenifere noted that the bill contains areas needing review. “However, there are some areas in the Bill that need to be reviewed—areas that tend to make the proposed State Police appendages of the federal government. In other words, there are clauses in the Bill that tend to strengthen the stronghold of the federal government on state police rather than liberalising it,” the group stated in a communique sent to journalists after the meeting.
Abduction of Pupils and Teachers
Afenifere also expressed deep concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers in three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as other kidnap incidents across Yorubaland and Nigeria. Sympathising with the families, the group urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abductees. “It’s about 50 days now since the incident in Oriire Local Government Area occurred. It is a great pity that the victims have not been rescued yet. We feel highly disturbed that these innocent Nigerians are going through avoidable trauma. Actions must be expedited to get them out of the den of the bandits as quickly as possible,” it stated.
The group called on governors of Yoruba states (including Kogi and Kwara) to take more decisive action against insecurity that threatens free movement in parts of Yorubaland. While commending the military and other security agencies, Afenifere recommended further strengthening through additional equipment, morale-boosting measures, and enhanced kinetic and non-kinetic security approaches.
Internal Collaborators and Illegal Mining
Afenifere urged the government and security agencies to look inward, as insecurity persists due to internal collaborators. It added that such scrutiny should extend to local communities, as there are collaborators among them. “By the same token, sponsors of illegal mining should also be profiled, as there are allegations that people are being forced out of their lands only for mining to take place in the area almost immediately after bandits displaced the people,” the group noted.
Restructuring and Development
Reiterating its stance on restructuring, Afenifere stated that it believes restructuring will greatly assist in and hasten the realisation of development objectives. The body acknowledged the Tinubu administration's efforts towards restructuring but urged him to do more.
Attacks on Hostels at Osun State University
Regarding attacks on hostels at Osun State University, the group expressed shock that army recruits from the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, allegedly carried out the attacks, resulting in robbery, manhandling of students, and inappropriate harassment of female students. The communique added, “It is gratifying to note that at least five of the recruits have been arrested as suspects. Afenifere is calling on the authorities to dig to the root of this incident with a view to ensuring that such a thing does not happen anywhere anymore.”
The body expressed deep concern that such incidents occurred not from notorious bandits but from young Nigerians being trained to protect citizens and defend their country. “It is, therefore, very important to bring the heavy hand of the law upon them, as they are likely to constitute a great danger to society. This incident also calls for proper rejigging of how candidates for positions in our security agencies are recruited and trained,” the group stated.
