Five govs to adopt security outfits as state police

Five Nigerian state governments have signaled their intention to integrate their existing security outfits into the proposed state police system once the constitutional framework is finalized. States including Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Zamfara, and Abia are looking to build upon their current security agencies, while other states are awaiting the completion of constitutional processes or considering establishing entirely new state police structures.

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The men and officers of the Amotekun Corps would also be well positioned for recruitment into the state police system. Their years of experience, knowledge of the local terrain, community relationships, and understanding of the security challenges confronting our people are invaluable assets that should not be discarded.

This development comes after the House of Representatives passed an Executive Bill on Thursday, marking a crucial step toward decentralizing Nigeria's policing system. The House opted for the Executive Bill over its earlier constitutional amendment proposal for establishing state police. Proponents of using existing security outfits argue that these agencies already possess the necessary institutional structures, operational experience, and community trust for a smooth transition.

Furthermore, they contend that personnel within these existing outfits have experience working alongside conventional security agencies, possess intimate knowledge of local terrains, and have developed intelligence networks. Leveraging these established resources is seen as a faster and more cost-effective approach compared to creating new organizations from scratch, allowing the proposed state police to become operational more quickly.

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So, I can say boldly that Ondo State is ready for state police. We already have the structure in place, the personnel, the experience, and the institutional framework to make it work.

In Ondo State, the government is considering converting the state security network agency, known as Amotekun, into the state police. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Allen Sowore, stated that the Amotekun Corps is well-positioned for this metamorphosis. He highlighted the invaluable assets of the corps, including their experience, local knowledge, community relationships, and understanding of security challenges, suggesting they are ready for the state police system with an established structure, personnel, and institutional framework. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, echoed this sentiment, noting that Amotekun's existing structure provides a suitable implementation template for state police. Similarly, the Kaduna State Government has expressed interest in converting the Kaduna State Vigilance Service into state police.

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The existing structure of Amotekun provides a good implementation template for state police.