The Chairman of the South-West Council of Amotekun Commanders and Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, has reiterated the council’s call for the establishment of state police, describing it as the most practical and effective solution to Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
Akogun Adeleye made this known while addressing security concerns in the country, stressing that decentralising the nation’s security architecture would enhance intelligence gathering, crime detection, and community-based policing.
According to him, the South-West security outfit has consistently maintained that state policing remains the most viable option for tackling the security challenges confronting the nation.
He noted that the successes recorded by the Amotekun Corps in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting criminals across the region have further strengthened the argument for a state-controlled policing structure.
“In the last couple of years, the position of the Council of Amotekun Commanders in the South-West has always been that state policing remains the only viable solution to the present insecurity in the country,” he said.
“Through the Amotekun initiative, it has become easier to identify criminals because security personnel are familiar with the terrain, the people, and the communities where they operate.”
The Amotekun chairman disclosed that the Ondo State Command alone has arrested more than 500 suspected criminals this year, many of whom have been successfully prosecuted.
“In many of those cases, the courts have vindicated our actions, and several of the suspects are currently serving various jail terms,” he added.
Akogun Adeleye described the proposed state police structure as a major step towards strengthening internal security and improving responses to emerging threats across the federation.
He also expressed the readiness of the South-West security network to align with any framework adopted by the Federal Government for the implementation of state policing.
“I think it is a giant stride in the right direction. State policing will help decentralise the security architecture of the country and bring security closer to the people.
“As far as the South-West is concerned, we are ready to adjust and conform with whatever framework is put in place to ensure the smooth take-off of state policing,” he said.
The renewed call comes amid increasing national conversations on police reforms and growing demands from stakeholders for a more community-driven approach to addressing insecurity across Nigeria.
