Former United States Police officer and Army veteran, Abiodun Ramon Oseni, has emphasised the necessity of devolving policing powers to state and local government councils in Nigeria to enhance responsiveness to local security challenges.
Speaking after receiving the Outstanding Security Personality Award at the 2026 Nigeria Safety and Security (NSAS) Awards, Oseni identified this decentralisation as a critical step for Nigeria to effectively combat banditry and widespread insecurity.
The US Army veteran noted that implementing state and local council police forces would promote community policing initiatives, fostering collaboration between security agencies and local communities, thereby improving intelligence gathering and building trust.
He asserted that state and local policing would significantly reduce crime rates and improve response times to incidents of crime and insecurity.
As a long-term strategy, Oseni urged all levels of government to address root causes of banditry, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education. He stressed that genuine economic development programmes would reduce incentives for criminal activities.
“Stopping banditry and insecurity in Nigeria requires a holistic approach, combining community involvement, coordinated security efforts, addressing socio-economic factors and strict enforcement of criminal laws. This approach must be supported by legal provisions that empower security agencies and hold offenders accountable,” he said.
Oseni also called for stringent enforcement of existing criminal laws, particularly for violent crimes such as banditry and kidnapping.
On his award, Oseni, a Fellow of the Institute of Security Nigeria, stated that the recognition of his initiatives and advocacy in the security sector would encourage him to do more for the nation.
Dr. Chinyere Amaechi, Convener of the NSAS Awards, explained that the awards honour outstanding contributions to health, safety, security, and the environment (HSSE) by professionals, corporate organisations, and government agencies.
Other awardees included Dr. Steve Udezi, President of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Ogbonna Ewim, Sony Ali, Tokunbo Ogunyemi, and Mrs. Oreoluwa Lesi, among others.
