Don’t make State Police FG’s appendage, Afenifere tells NASS

…Urges lawmakers to move policing to Concurrent List

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for transmitting the State Police Bill to the National Assembly but urged lawmakers to amend provisions it said would make state police “appendages of the federal government.”

The group also called on the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to place policing on the Concurrent Legislative List to ensure greater autonomy for state police formations.

The position was contained in a statement issued by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, following a caucus meeting held at the Akure residence of the group’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Afenifere congratulated the Tinubu administration for forwarding the bill and praised lawmakers for their efforts to fast-track its passage.

However, the group expressed reservations over some provisions of the proposed legislation.

“There are some areas in the Bill that need to be reviewed, especially areas that tend to make the proposed State Police appendages of the federal government,” Ajayi said.

“In other words, there are clauses in the Bill that tend to strengthen the stronghold of the federal government on state police rather than liberalising it.”

The group also expressed concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, lamenting that the victims had remained in captivity for about 50 days.

“It’s about 50 days now that the incident in Oriire occurred. It is a big pity that the victims have not been rescued.

“We feel highly disturbed that these innocent Nigerians are going through avoidable trauma. Actions must be expedited to get them out of the den of the bandits as quickly as possible,” the statement said.

Afenifere urged governors of Yoruba-speaking states, including Kogi and Kwara, to take more decisive measures to tackle insecurity affecting movement across parts of the region.

The group also called on politicians to conduct election campaigns peacefully, warning against thuggery, violence and character assassination.

“It decried a situation in which thuggery occasioning loss of lives occurred. Electioneering should be devoid of violence,” the statement added.

Afenifere commended the gallantry of Nigerian troops and sympathised with the Federal Government, the military and families of security personnel killed or injured while defending the country.

It recommended strengthening security agencies through improved equipment, enhanced welfare and morale, as well as a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.

The group further urged the government and the military to identify internal collaborators aiding insecurity.

“Such searchlight should also be beamed on local communities as there are collaborators among them.

“Sponsors of illegal mining should also be profiled, as there seem to be allegations that people are being forced out of their lands only for mining to take place almost immediately after the people were displaced by bandits,” it said.

Reiterating its long-standing call for restructuring, Afenifere said it believes the policy would accelerate national development and urged President Tinubu to intensify efforts in that direction.

“We believe that restructuring will greatly assist and hasten the realization of this noble objective, hence our consistent advocacy for it.

“While we took note of the steps being taken by Mr. President on restructuring, we are urging him to do more,” the group stated.