₦airaland Forum

It renews the demand for the establishment of State Police and Local Government Police

The Yoruba One Voice Worldwide has called on traditional rulers in Yorubaland to close ranks and forge a common front to tackle the surge in insecurity in the region.

The call formed part of the resolutions reached at a virtual international conference organised by the group, led by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, which brought together Yoruba organisations, community leaders, professionals, intellectuals and cultural advocates in Nigeria and the diaspora

The South-West region has, in recent times, witnessed a surge in incidents of abductions and other forms of terrorism, with over 40 teachers and pupils of three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State still being held hostage.

In a communiqué signed by its Secretary-General, Adedokun Ademiluyi; Organising Secretary, Victoria Harley; and Publicity Secretary, Samuel Olamuyiwa, on Sunday, the group emphasised that the security of Yorubaland depends on unity of purpose and effective collaboration among stakeholders, including traditional rulers.

Speakers at the conference posited that the security situation in Yorubaland had deteriorated significantly in recent years, with increasing incidents of kidnapping, banditry, violent crimes, killings and attacks on communities, and called for urgent action.

The communiqué read, “The conference advises traditional rulers to eschew their differences, close ranks and forge a common front in the fight against insecurity in Yorubaland.

“The future security of Yorubaland depends on unity of purpose, effective collaboration among stakeholders, community participation and the adoption of decentralised policing structures capable of responding to local realities.”
The conference stressed the need for collective action, strategic partnerships and sustained commitment for Yorubaland to overcome the current security challenges and restore peace, progress and prosperity across the region.

The participants demanded the collaboration of the Federal Government, South-West governors, security agencies, traditional institutions and community leaders to ensure the urgent release of the abducted schoolchildren and adopt proactive measures to prevent a deterioration of the security situation in the zone.


They noted that the recent escalation of insecurity stemmed from the failure of government, security agencies and other stakeholders to heed early warnings and intelligence reports about the gradual infiltration of Yorubaland by bandits and others with criminal intent.

“The existing centralised policing structure has demonstrated limitations in effectively responding to local security challenges and emerging threats.

“Early warnings and intelligence reports regarding the gradual infiltration of bandits into Yorubaland were not given adequate attention by relevant authorities, thereby allowing criminal networks to strengthen their operations.

“Community-based security groups possess valuable local intelligence, grassroots networks and operational experience that can complement government security efforts,” the communiqué further read.

According to them, the Oyo attack underscored the fact that communities across Yorubaland remain vulnerable due to inadequate security presence, difficult terrain, porous borders, isolated settlements and limited emergency response capacity

“The coordinated attack on schools in Oyo confirmed that the threat has now fully spread to the South-West region, which was previously considered relatively safer.

“Understanding the changing face of insecurity in Yorubaland requires examining both traditional and emerging threats, their root causes and the collaborative strategies needed to ensure sustainable peace, security and development across the region.

“This grisly picture of growing insecurity ravaging Yorubaland and South-West Nigeria demands urgent strategic attention and action,” the communiqué read.

The group reiterated calls for the establishment of state police and local government police, just as it urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to hasten legislative action towards providing a constitutional framework for decentralised policing in Nigeria.

The communiqué also read, “The conference strongly condemns the growing wave of insecurity, kidnappings, banditry, terrorism and violent crimes threatening the peace, stability and development of Yorubaland.

“It renews the demand for the establishment of State Police and Local Government Police as part of broader constitutional and security reforms necessary for effective grassroots policing and intelligence gathering.

“It urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders to accelerate legislative actions that will provide a constitutional framework for decentralised policing across Nigeria.”


Despite the call for action by the government and stakeholders, the YOV also stressed the importance of community vigilance by residents to support security agencies.

This was as it called for a bottom-up approach to intelligence gathering to mitigate security challenges in Yorubaland.

“We recommend institutional engagement with the South-West Security Stakeholders’ Group and other credible grassroots security networks for intelligence sharing, surveillance and coordinated security operations.

“We also advocate increased investment in rural security infrastructure, including improved road access, communication systems, surveillance technology and rapid response mechanisms.

“We call on all Yoruba people, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status, to unite in safeguarding their communities and supporting legitimate security initiatives. We also encourage continuous public enlightenment and community vigilance as essential tools in preventing criminal infiltration and strengthening collective security,” the communiqué read.

Earlier, Maj. Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.) delivered the keynote address on issues of governance, security reforms and democratic accountability, which set the tone for the conference.

The conference also had other participants, including opinion and community leaders, intelligentsia, security experts, professionals, entrepreneurs, workers, scholars, students, media practitioners and stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria.

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I would have answered you,but this guy onX has done a good job of schooling you and your fraud of a candidate.

weedfada:
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The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over what he described as excessive borrowing and poor fiscal accountability.

Obi said Nigeria’s total public debt has risen to about N200 trillion, which he attributed to what he called “imprudent governance” under the current administration.

He said the debt level represents an increase of over N100 trillion in three years, contrasting it with the approximately N49 trillion accumulated during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari

The former Labour Party presidential flagbearer in the 2023 election stated this in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, saying the situation reflected a lack of accountability and transparency in the management of borrowed funds.

“President Bola Tinubu’s administration has engaged in remarkably imprudent borrowing, escalating Nigeria’s total debt to approximately N200 trillion. This represents an increase of over N100 trillion within a mere three years, a stark contrast to the roughly N49 trillion accumulated during President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, which would have projected to around N80 trillion.

“As millions of Nigerians grapple with the shock of this unsustainable debt accumulation, the situation is exacerbated by the government’s reckless approach to borrowing and a profound absence of accountability and transparency in the utilisation of these funds,” he said.

Citing figures from the Budget Office, Obi said the government borrowed N11.89 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025 (January to September), exceeding its planned borrowing target of N10.34 trillion by about N1.54 trillion.

He said such an overrun should ordinarily attract scrutiny and explanation from relevant authorities.

“Under a responsible and accountable government, such an overshoot would necessitate rigorous scrutiny and explanation from relevant governmental bodies. Regrettably, this is not the reality under the current administration,” he said

Obi further claimed that only N3.10 trillion of the borrowed funds was allocated to capital expenditure during the January–September 2025 period, representing 17.66 per cent of the N17.58 trillion earmarked for capital projects, leaving a funding gap of about N14.48 trillion.

He questioned how the remaining funds were utilised.

“The most disturbing aspect of the financial management fiasco under Bola Tinubu is that there is no explanation or information regarding how the balance was utilised or deployed.

“The question that Nigerians are rightly asking and deserve an answer to is what happened to the balance? Was it deployed for recurrent expenditure/consumption, for the entertainment of guests to Aso Rock or transferred to the Renewed Hope Agenda 2027 Election Campaign Fund?

“Nigerians deserve an answer on how our economy and resources are most unpatriotically managed,” he said.

Nigeria has faced mounting debt pressures since the Tinubu administration’s major reforms began in mid-2023, including the removal of long-standing fuel subsidies and unification of the foreign exchange market.

These moves aimed to correct fiscal distortions but triggered immediate inflation spikes, naira volatility, and higher living costs, while increasing the local-currency burden of debt servicing.

Tinubu had disclosed in May 2026 that Nigeria plans to spend about $11.6 billion on debt servicing in 2026.

While supporters of the government argue that borrowings support critical infrastructure, critics warn of a debt without growth trap.

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Yet we must recognise that illegal immigration is not the cause of all our economic challenges.

Yorubastardz:
Zack Caro Orji White is his new name

MarketDispatch:
Did you know that Nigerian Police have Helicopters at all? . ...

MarketDispatch:
Did you read the report of that Journalist that said he counted 27 Police checkpoints on road from Badagry to Seme border. By analysis each checkpoint will have nothing less than 4 Police men. If you leave 3 Police check points on that road, you have about 96 Policemen that can be deployed for more engaging activities to flush out bandits in forest areas.

MarketDispatch:
We already have Police and NSCDC...why should local Militias be empowered

Racoon:
Hehehe! Tackle the same sharia your beloved MURIC and fanatic terrorists have been trying desperately to enthrone over the years?

MURIC charges Yoruba Muslims to take inspiration from the Glorious Qur’an on the need to confront bandits. In a rare manifestation of battlefield emboldment, the Glorious Qur’an assured us that our enemies are mere mortals who feel what we feel. They also can sustain injuries and feel pain just as you can sustain injuries and feel pain (3:140)

Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has enjoined governors of the South-West region to immediately empower Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, O’dua Peoples Congress, OPC, and other local security apparatus without further delay.

MURIC noted that this is necessary in order to address and tackle the alarming rate of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the region.

MURIC Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the call in a statement issued on Friday.

DAILY POST reports that the region has in the last few weeks witnessed series of kidnapping and other social problems.

The latest was the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in some communities in Oriire local government area in Oyo State.

Akintola in the statement urged governors in the South-West to urgently empower and equip operatives of Amotekun, OPC and other local security apparatus to tackle the problems in the region.

He noted that people of the region should not wait until the enemy have their ways before actions are taken.

He added that more personnel should be recruited into the Amotekun Corps for effective service delivery.

MURIC advises South-West governments to prepare vigilante groups as first responders. Groups like the Oduduwa Peoples Congress (OPC) and Iru Ekun should be empowered in order to halt the advance of bandits.

“More personnel should be recruited into the Amotekun Corps for effectiveness

MURIC charges Yoruba Muslims to take inspiration from the Glorious Qur’an on the need to confront bandits. In a rare manifestation of battlefield emboldment, the Glorious Qur’an assured us that our enemies are mere mortals who feel what we feel. They also can sustain injuries and feel pain just as you can sustain injuries and feel pain (3:140)

Embolding us further, the Glorious Qur’an says, ‘And do not weaken in pursuing the enemy. If you are suffering, they are suffering as you are suffering; but you hope from Allah that which they do not hope for. And Allah is Ever-Knowing, All-Wise.’ (4:104)


We encourage Yoruba Christians to replicate this approach to criminality in the region. Bandits have a field day when we turn and run. But they don’t like confrontation. We must therefore meet their force with force, bullet for bullet, stratagem for stratagem. There must be balance of terror if we are going to succeed in stopping these hoodlums,” MURIC said in the statement

Emu4life:
Are they not smiling now? Is Sanwo Olu (APC) doing a terrible Job? If so, why should the same party be re-elected?

Christ4ever:
What is MURIC saying about this?

A Public Leadership Credential candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School, Prince Rotimi Victor Rhodes-Vivour has thrown his weight behind Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State, calling on Lagosians to support and vote for him.

In a statement, Rhodes-Vivour described Hamzat as a distinguished public servant who has demonstrated competence, innovation, and commitment to the development of Lagos State through his years in public office.

According to him, Hamzat has established himself as one of the most experienced and capable public officials in the state, particularly through his role as Deputy Governor since 2019, where he has supported government efforts in improving governance, infrastructure, education, technology, and public service delivery.

He noted that Hamzat, a trained engineer and technocrat, has consistently promoted the use of technology to enhance government efficiency and service delivery. He added that the deputy governor has been a strong advocate of digital transformation, e-governance, and data-driven planning, which have helped strengthen Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s leading innovation hub.

Rhodes-Vivour highlighted Hamzat’s contributions to the state’s digital governance initiatives, support for education and technology development, promotion of youth digital skills, and involvement in implementing policies aimed at improving transportation, economic growth, security, and governance.

He stated that throughout his years in public service, Hamzat has earned a reputation for professionalism, humility, technical expertise, and dedication to duty.

The statement also recalled Hamzat’s previous service as Commissioner for Science and Technology, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, positions that Rhodes-Vivour said provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Lagos State.