Security organisations across Nigeria’s South-west have praised the National Assembly for passing a bill proposing the creation of state police, describing the move as a major milestone in addressing insecurity through community-focused policing.
The groups, however, stressed that the success of the proposed system would largely depend on effective cooperation between government agencies and local security organisations.
Their position was contained in a statement released after a joint meeting of the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) and the Oodua Unity Group (OUG), held on Wednesday at the residence of the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams.
According to the statement, the proposed state police structure would allow state governments to respond more quickly to security threats while operating alongside the existing federal police system.
While awaiting the implementation of the new policing framework, the organisations urged both the Federal Government and state governments to strengthen partnerships with private and community-based security groups to improve crime prevention and public safety.
They specifically appealed to the Federal Government and South-west governors to formally collaborate with the SSSG and OUG, arguing that community security networks possess valuable local intelligence that can enhance surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid responses to criminal activities.
The groups noted that the SSSG consists of several Yoruba security and socio-cultural organisations with structures spread across local government areas in the South-west, enabling them to support grassroots security initiatives.
They maintained that stronger collaboration between government institutions and community security groups would be vital in developing lasting solutions to insecurity and addressing the underlying causes of violence and crime.
The statement also clarified the constitutional role of the Aare Ona Kakanfo in security operations, explaining that Gani Adams can only participate in such activities when invited by a state governor, who serves as the state’s Chief Security Officer.
It warned that any unauthorised involvement in security operations could violate existing laws, disrupt official security structures and complicate efforts to maintain peace and order.
The organisations further appealed to journalists, public commentators and citizens to avoid spreading false or misleading information about security incidents, noting that inaccurate reports could fuel panic, mislead the public and hinder ongoing security efforts.
They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting government agencies and traditional institutions in promoting peace, stability and security across the South-west, emphasising that lasting peace can only be achieved through cooperation, respect for legal processes and responsible communication.
