The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Tuesday rallied support for the creation of state police, notwithstanding the concerns that it might be subjected to abuse by the state governors The group warned that rising cases of kidnapping and banditry across the South-West must not be allowed to persist simply because of fears that state governors may abuse a proposed state police structure. The National Publicity Secretary of the group, Comrade Jare Ajayi, made this call on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State. Ajayi expressed serious concern over what the organisation described as increasing security threats in the Southwest region. Recall that the socio-political group in a statement on Sunday, said that repeated attacks in Kwara, Kogi and Niger states, alongside recent kidnappings in Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo States, presented a deeply troubling security trajectory. He explained that while concerns about the potential misuse of state police by governors are understandable, such fears should not prevent the country from adopting stronger security structures needed to tackle criminal activities. Ajayi said such concerns should be addressed through institutional safeguards rather than abandoning the proposal. “Yes, there are fears that governors may abuse state police, and that concern is understandable. But we cannot say that because of a possible problem, we should refuse to adopt a system that can help improve security,” he said. “What we need are mechanisms that will reduce the possibility of abuse. For example, there should be a state police council made up of representatives from different sectors of society, not just the governor acting alone.” He added that strong legal frameworks must also allow citizens to challenge abuses in court. Ajayi concluded by urging governments at all levels to demonstrate stronger political will in tackling insecurity. “Kidnapping and banditry should not be allowed to continue simply because people are afraid that governors might abuse state police,” he said. “What is required is determination, preparedness and the resources needed to confront the problem. Governments must act decisively before the situation gets completely out of hand.” He also called on South-West governors to strengthen regional security collaboration and take immediate steps to protect communities from further attacks. Ajayi said the organisation’s recent statement was prompted by a series of disturbing incidents of kidnapping and attacks recorded across parts of the South-West. He cited the case of a medical doctor and his brother who were kidnapped in Ondo State, explaining that the incident reflects the growing boldness of criminal groups operating in the region. “We are extremely disturbed and concerned. Quite a number of incidents prompted the statement we issued. For instance, we cited the case of a medical doctor and his brother who were kidnapped in Ondo State. The younger brother was killed, and the doctor was brutalised,” Ajayi said. “There were also repeated attacks in communities in Akure and other parts of the region. In one case, a man was shot while trying to resist kidnappers who wanted to abduct his wife, yet the wife was still taken away. Along the Oyo axis as well, travellers were attacked and taken into the bush. All these happened within a short period.” Ajayi also pointed to recent security developments in Kwara State as further evidence that banditry and kidnapping are spreading beyond their traditional strongholds, warning that the situation requires urgent and coordinated action by security agencies. According to him, the rising attacks in communities within the state demonstrate how criminal groups are gradually expanding their operations into new territories. “When you look at what is happening now in places like Kwara State, it confirms that the problem has gone beyond isolated incidents. Communities had earlier raised alarm about the presence of bandits in their forests, but those warnings were not taken seriously until the attacks started manifesting,” Ajayi said. “This shows clearly that when intelligence from local communities is ignored, the consequences eventually become visible. The situation in Kwara today is a clear indication that banditry and kidnapping are spreading and must be tackled before it becomes deeply entrenched.” He stressed that the development underscores the need for stronger collaboration between federal security agencies and local authorities to respond swiftly to early warning signs. He noted that the frequency and spread of the attacks have heightened fears among residents of the region. Ajayi also acknowledged the installation of surveillance infrastructure by some South-West governments but stressed that technology alone cannot solve the security crisis without decisive enforcement. “The establishment of CCTV monitoring centres by some state governments is a good initiative because they are meant to monitor movements and identify criminal activities. But from what we have gathered, the challenge is not only about identifying these criminals,” he said. “Even when locations of suspected bandits are known through intelligence or surveillance, the real issue is the determination and the capacity of security agencies to move in quickly and confront them.” Ajayi attributed part of the rising insecurity in the South-West to the displacement of bandits from northern regions where security forces have intensified military operations. According to him, many of the criminal groups are relocating in search of new operational territories. “One of the factors responsible is the continuous pounding of bandits in the northern part of the country, particularly in the North-West and the North-East. Because they are being pressured there, they are looking for other places where they can continue their operations,” he said. “That is why we are seeing an upsurge in areas that were previously considered relatively safe in the South-West.” He stressed that communities and governments in the region must take proactive steps to prevent the situation from escalating further. Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide. President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The President said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions. He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement. “We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to respond appropriately to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said. The President commended the cordial relationship between the executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country. “It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.