Adams, Williams urge FG, National Assembly to establish state police

By Dapo Akinrefon

The Gani Adams and former Commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Ishola Williams, have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently create a legal framework for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

The duo renewed calls for the creation of state and local government police forces, arguing that decentralised policing remains one of the most effective ways to address the country’s worsening insecurity.

They made the call during a virtual international conference themed “Changing Face of Insecurity in Yorubaland,” organised by Yoruba One Voice.

Speaking at the event, Adams said the current centralised policing structure was inadequate to address growing and localised security threats across the country.

According to him, state police would empower sub-national governments to protect residents more effectively, improve intelligence gathering and foster stronger trust between security agencies and local communities.

He expressed concern over the recent wave of violent crimes in the South-West, particularly the reported abduction of 39 students and seven teachers from three schools in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026.

Adams also stressed the need for greater collaboration between government authorities and private security stakeholders.

He urged South-West governors to deepen partnerships with grassroots security organisations, especially the Southwest Security Stakeholders’ Group (SSSG), a coalition of 14 security-focused groups which he leads.

Delivering the keynote address, Williams argued that Nigeria’s major challenge was the lack of public safety rather than the absence of security structures.

He noted that regional security outfits such as the Amotekun Corps and neighbourhood watch groups in Lagos State already exist and should complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force.

However, he observed that many of these groups remain poorly equipped to gather and share intelligence effectively or confront heavily armed criminal elements.

Williams also called on citizens to demand accountability from state governors regarding the use of security votes allocated to them.

While advocating greater unity among Yoruba leaders and traditional rulers, he urged monarchs to play more active roles in addressing security challenges at the grassroots level.

“We need to discuss our shared responsibilities for better governance of our states and the country, and for tackling insecurity decisively,” he said.

Earlier, Secretary-General of YOV, Adedokun Ademiluyi, said the conference was convened in response to escalating insecurity across Yorubaland and the urgent need for lasting solutions.

He expressed optimism that deliberations at the conference would promote stronger cooperation among security stakeholders and help transform the region’s security challenges into opportunities for peace, progress and development.

Also speaking, YOV Organising Secretary, Victoria Harley, said the growing spread of insecurity in Yorubaland required urgent and coordinated action from political leaders and security stakeholders.

Similarly, Kolawole Raheem emphasised the need for unity among Yoruba traditional rulers and community leaders, urging them to take proactive measures to address security threats before they escalate.

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