The pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere has issued its strongest warning yet, demanding the immediate establishment of state police across Nigeria.
The group’s Secretary-General, Chief Sola Ebiseni, in a statement titled “The Imperative of State Police Now,” argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing system — inherited from military rule — has left state governments completely helpless in the face of mounting terror attacks and kidnappings.
He stressed that the Nigerian Armed Forces, despite their bravery, are dangerously overstretched and cannot be expected to single-handedly contain the country’s rapidly worsening security crisis.
Afenifere pointed to growing momentum in favour of state police, referencing the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, who reportedly submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly calling for constitutional amendments to enable its creation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also expressed support for the proposal, signalling that legislative discussions are already underway.
Ebiseni insisted that existing regional security outfits, particularly the South-West’s Amotekun Corps, could serve as a ready foundation — needing only better training, upgraded equipment, and enhanced firepower to transition effectively into state police.
Most alarmingly, Afenifere warned that continued inaction risks pushing Nigerians toward dangerous self-help and tribal conflict.
The group also cautioned that Nigeria has become a deliberate target of international terrorism with clear territorial ambitions, urging the Federal Government to pursue cross-border security collaboration without viewing it as a surrender of national sovereignty.
Ebiseni called on political leaders to rise above partisan divisions and treat insecurity as the national emergency it truly is.
- Afenifere