The Chairman of the Forum for Yoruba Unity and Progress, Wale Adeniran, PhD, has intensified calls for the immediate passage of State and Community Police legislation, declaring that Nigeria can no longer afford delays in overhauling its security architecture.
Adeniran said the National Assembly must urgently pass into law provisions enabling states that are willing to establish their own police structures, arguing that the country’s centralized policing system is overstretched and increasingly ineffective against localized threats.
“The era of delay, debate, and procedural excuses must end. Legislators were elected to protect lives and secure communities. When citizens are repeatedly exposed to violence, inaction becomes complicity,” he stated.
Tinubu’s Iftar Declaration
Strengthening his position, Adeniran corroborated the recent stance of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who reportedly declared during an iftar with governors and national leaders at the State House on Monday that “the time for state police is now” in order to combat terrorism and banditry.
According to Adeniran, the President’s bold declaration reflects a growing consensus among national stakeholders that security challenges require decentralized solutions.
“When the President himself acknowledges that the time for state police is now, the legislature must align with that urgency. The security of Nigerians should never be trapped in prolonged constitutional hesitation,” Adeniran said.
Growing National Consensus
Calls for state police have gained traction among governors, regional leaders, and security experts who argue that community-based policing will improve intelligence gathering, response time, and accountability.
Several state governors across party lines have previously advocated constitutional amendments to allow states greater control over internal security operations. Security analysts maintain that localized forces familiar with terrain, language, and community networks are better positioned to prevent banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.
Adeniran warned that failure to act swiftly could escalate public frustration.
“If constitutional reforms are not implemented promptly, public frustration will continue to rise — and that is a situation no responsible democracy should allow to escalate,” he cautioned.
He stressed that security is not a political favor but a constitutional obligation.
“Yoruba land cannot continue to bleed while those empowered to act remain slow to respond. The time for decisive legislative and executive action is now.”
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