Ondo AG Pushes State Police as Key to Fighting Nigeria’s Insecurity

Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Kayode Ajulo backed the creation of state police to address Nigeria’s growing security threats. He issued the statement on Thursday, December 11, 2025, following President Bola Tinubu’s recent call for the National Assembly to amend laws allowing states to form their own forces. Ajulo argued that a centralised system fails to handle diverse crimes like herder-farmer clashes in the North, cultism in the South, kidnappings in the Middle Belt, and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Ajulo described Tinubu’s push as a vital step, not a mere suggestion, urging lawmakers to embed the successes of regional outfits like Amotekun nationwide. He highlighted how state police could deliver tailored solutions, rooted in local knowledge and quick response. The decentralised approach, he stressed, aligns with constitutional principles and meets the federation’s urgent needs.

Amotekun, launched in January 2020 across the South-West, stands as proof of effective subnational security, Ajulo noted. The outfit, codified into state laws, slashed kidnappings by nearly 70 per cent in Ondo and Osun by mid-2025 through border patrols, community intelligence, and cultural insight. It operates under strict oversight, without reports of abuse or repression, showing transparency and results despite limited arms.

Ajulo praised South-West governors for pioneering Amotekun and called on the National Assembly to act swiftly on state police legislation. He lauded Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for recruiting 500 new corps members—the largest expansion yet—and unveiling a high-tech Control Command Centre with drones, surveillance, and real-time reporting. These moves position Ondo as a leader in modern, scalable security.

The commissioner warned that delaying reform invites failure, as citizens gasp for better protection. State police, he insisted, offers not just an option but essential relief for a nation weary of unchecked violence. As debates intensify, Ajulo’s plea underscores the human cost of inaction, where families endure needless fear and loss.