Why the South-West appears most prepared
By Ismail Azeez
The renewed debate over the creation of state police has once again taken center stage in Nigeria’s constitutional reform process as stakeholders seek lasting solutions to the country’s growing security challenges.
The escalating insecurity across the country has exposed the limitations of the nation’s centralized policing system, fueling calls for decentralized law enforcement that is closer to the grassroots and better equipped to address local security concerns.
Many stakeholders believe the South-West is one of the regions best positioned to successfully implement state policing, should the National Assembly approve the necessary constitutional amendments.
The South-West region of Nigeria has consistently demonstrated political cooperation through the South-West Governors’ Forum comprising Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Lagos states which pioneered the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, in 2020.
Amotekun has since become a model of community-based security, complementing federal security agencies through intelligence gathering and local surveillance.
Comrade Olowu Emmanuel Aiyedun, the Executive Director of Social-Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA), noted that the South-West possesses the institutional capacity and political will required for effective state policing.
He stated that the governors have consistently advocated constitutional amendments to establish state police and have maintained strong collaboration with traditional rulers, local communities, and federal security agencies.
He stressed, however, that political commitment alone is insufficient.
He argued that any state police structure must be supported by constitutional safeguards, clearly defined operational jurisdictions, sustainable funding, professional recruitment, continuous training, independent oversight, and strong protection against political interference.
He maintained that if these institutional frameworks are established, the South-West could become a national model for effective decentralized policing.
Similarly, Comrade Dr. Waheed Lawal, the Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), described Nigeria’s current policing structure as outdated and incapable of effectively addressing contemporary security threats.
According to Lawal, security is fundamentally local and should be managed by officers who understand the language, culture, geography, and social dynamics of the communities they serve.
He argued that decentralized policing would significantly improve intelligence gathering and emergency response across the country.
However, Lawal warned that state police could become a dangerous political tool if left entirely under the control of state governors.
He expressed concern that, without proper constitutional safeguards, state police forces could be used to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent, and undermine democratic governance.