Ogun State has established a security foundation capable of supporting a transition to state policing, Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced.
The Governor stated that the state has over 6,000 personnel from the Amotekun Corps and the So-Safe security outfit ready to be integrated into a state-level law enforcement structure. This existing manpower is intended to strengthen the protection of lives and property while addressing the logistical challenges of decentralising law enforcement in Nigeria.
The announcement comes as several state governments continue to lobby the National Assembly for constitutional amendments to allow for the establishment of state-controlled police forces. Proponents argue that the current centralised model lacks the local intelligence required to combat rising insecurity.
Existing security frameworks in Ogun State
According to Governor Abiodun’s remarks on the state’s security readiness, the deployment of Amotekun and So-Safe personnel would provide a structured pathway for state-level law enforcement. The Amotekun Corps, a regional security initiative in the South-West, and the So-Safe outfit have been active in intelligence gathering and community surveillance within the state.
By leveraging these existing groups, the Ogun State government aims to minimise the training and recruitment hurdles typically associated with creating a new police force from the ground up. The transition would require these personnel to undergo further formalisation and integration into a regulated, state-managed security architecture.
The push for state policing is driven by the need for law enforcement agencies that possess deep local knowledge of the terrain, languages, and social dynamics of their respective areas. Advocates suggest that the current centralised police structure often faces delays in response times and lacks the granular intelligence necessary to tackle crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery.
However, the move toward state policing remains a complex legal and political issue. It requires an amendment to the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria to allow states to maintain independent police units. While many governors have advocated for this change, debates persist regarding the potential for state police to be utilised for political purposes by local administrations.
For Ogun State, the presence of 6,000 trained personnel provides a significant advantage should the federal government grant permission for state-controlled security operations. The government’s current focus remains on ensuring these outfits are well-equipped and trained to meet professional standards.
The progress of this initiative will depend on the outcome of constitutional reform discussions in the National Assembly and the state’s ability to sustain the funding required for a large-scale security workforce.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
