State police approval, major step in improving security — Oyintiloye

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has described the National Assembly’s approval of state police as a major step towards improving the country’s security architecture.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, Oyintiloye said the approval marked a historic milestone in the nation’s pursuit of a more effective, responsive and community-based policing system.

The former lawmaker expressed satisfaction that the proposal, which he said he had championed for several years, had gained legislative backing during the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, “Nigeria’s growing security challenges have long demonstrated the need for a decentralised policing structure capable of addressing local security concerns more effectively.”

He recalled that he had consistently advocated for state police as a practical solution to insecurity and noted that one of his public interventions on the issue was published in a national newspaper.

Oyintiloye said, “The Senate’s decision vindicated years of advocacy by security experts, policy stakeholders and concerned Nigerians who had highlighted the limitations of a highly centralised policing system.”

He stated that the introduction of state police would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to security threats and deepen community policing across the country.

The APC chieftain added that the initiative would also create employment opportunities and enable law enforcement agencies to better understand and respond to local security challenges.

“For years, I have remained a vocal advocate of state police because I firmly believed that Nigeria’s evolving security realities require a more localised approach.

“Today, I am delighted that this long-held dream for our dear nation has become a reality under the courageous and visionary leadership of the President,” Oyintiloye added.

He stressed that for state police to succeed, it must be technology-driven and community-oriented, calling for the deployment of tools such as CCTV cameras, drones, digital communication systems and crime databases to support operations.

Oyintiloye also urged stakeholders to ensure that the implementation framework is guided by professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

He commended President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their roles in advancing the reform, expressing optimism that it would strengthen national security, promote peace and support economic development.