Afenifere, which are the lead Yoruba socio-political organization, has expressed deep concern over the prevailing insecurity in Nigeria and is urging President Bola Tinubu to invoke an executive order to establish state and local government police forces.
The group’s spokesperson, Mr. Ajayi, made this call in response to the escalating reports of banditry and kidnapping in several states, including Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara, and Niger.
In a statement released on Saturday, Afenifere highlighted the urgent need for action to address the growing security challenges that have plagued the nation. The group believes that the establishment of state and local government police forces would provide a more effective and localized approach to combating crime and maintaining law and order.
“There are indications that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists, and armed robbers,” the statement read.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
Afenifere also emphasized the importance of investigating the underlying motivations behind the rampant cases of kidnapping and banditry. The group attributes these criminal activities to a combination of economic, political, and ideological factors. By delving into the root causes, it is hoped that a comprehensive understanding of the issues can be gained, leading to more targeted and effective solutions.
The starting point is to probe into the motivation for kidnapping and related banditry. Three identified motives are economic, ideology and politics. Each of these has sub-strata and sometimes interlopes,” the political body added.
“For instance, the economic factor of banditry could have territorial claim as an underpinning. It can also be as a result of some interests wanting to assert political superiority. These are relatively easier to deal with if the authorities and the people in the given area are committed to dealing with it.”
