A former Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, has backed the passage of the State Police Bill by the House of Representatives, describing it as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s security reform efforts.
The bill, which has advanced through the lower chamber of the National Assembly, has continued to generate national debate amid rising insecurity challenges, including banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
In a statement issued yesterday, Oladejo said the development reflects a growing consensus on the need to decentralise policing in order to address Nigeria’s evolving security realities.
“The passage of the State Police Bill by the House of Representatives represents one of the most consequential legislative milestones in Nigeria’s democratic journey and a major breakthrough in our nation’s battle against insecurity,” he said.
According to him, the current centralised policing structure is no longer sufficient to respond effectively to the scale and complexity of modern-day security threats.
“The increasing sophistication of criminal networks, the persistence of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime have exposed the limitations of a policing structure designed for a much smaller and less complex nation,” he said.
Oladejo argued that the proposed state police system would strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering, improve response times, and enhance collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
“This initiative is not merely a constitutional amendment; it is a strategic response to the realities of modern security challenges,” he said.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as sustained commitment to governance reforms aimed at bringing security and administration closer to the people.
“Increasingly, Nigeria is demonstrating the courage to embrace reforms that previous administrations merely discussed but failed to implement,” he added.
Oladejo maintained that insecurity remains a major obstacle to economic growth and national development, warning that no country can thrive when citizens live in fear.
“Farmers cannot cultivate their lands, businesses cannot flourish, investors cannot commit resources and communities cannot prosper under the shadow of insecurity,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns over possible abuse of state-controlled policing structures, he said such fears should be addressed through strong safeguards rather than rejection of the reform.
“Every institution is susceptible to abuse if safeguards are absent. The appropriate response is therefore to build strong constitutional protections, effective oversight mechanisms and transparent accountability frameworks,” he said.
The APC chieftain urged the Senate, State Houses of Assembly, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and Nigerians at large to support the reform, describing it as a necessary step toward building a safer country.
“The security of our nation transcends political affiliations and sectional interests,” he said.
He added that the initiative could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to modernise its security architecture and strengthen community-based policing.