The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, says Nigeria’s deepening security crisis can be reversed within six months if the Federal Government approves the creation of state police. He made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, warning that the country is running out of time as violent crime spreads across rural and urban centres.
Adams said leaders in all six geopolitical zones have now reached a rare consensus on the need for state-controlled policing. He noted that long-standing resistance from the North has eased, with governors and traditional rulers in the region openly supporting a decentralised security structure. According to him, only legislative and executive approval now stand between Nigeria and a more responsive security system.
He explained that the National Assembly and the Presidency hold the key to major reforms. Once the bill is passed and signed, he believes the current wave of kidnappings, bandit attacks and terrorism will decline quickly because state police will operate with better local knowledge and faster response capability.
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Adams acknowledged the contributions of Amotekun in the South West but said the outfit is limited by its lack of advanced arms and the legal authority needed to confront heavily armed criminal groups. He pointed to a recent meeting of Southern governors who reaffirmed that state police remain central to any genuine move toward federalism and grassroots protection.
He aligned himself with their position and argued that no well-meaning Nigerian should oppose a structure designed to save lives. He said fears that governors might misuse state police for political reasons are understandable, but he urged Nigerians to weigh those concerns against the daily loss of lives to organised crime.
“The protection of human life must come before every other consideration,” he said, adding that the time for decisive security reform has arrived.
