former member representing Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said that beyond the establishment of state police, Nigeria should create additional specialised policing structures to effectively tackle the country’s security challenges.
In a statement obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, the All Progressives Congress stalwart said security is most effective when it is locally driven, intelligence-led and supported by the people.
“For years, I have remained a vocal advocate of state police because I firmly believed that Nigeria’s evolving security realities require a more localised approach.
Today, I am delighted that this long-held dream for our dear nation has become a reality under the courageous and visionary leadership of the President,” he said.
While describing the approval of state police as a step in the right direction, Oyintiloye argued that the country should adopt a multi-layered policing system to address emerging security concerns.
“The truth is, Nigeria needs more policing structures. It is good that we have state police now. It is the right step. But beyond that, we should have other policing structures. We should have highway police, tourist police, among others,” he said.
The former lawmaker expressed satisfaction that a cause he had championed for years had finally gained traction under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He recalled that he had consistently advocated the establishment of state police as a practical solution to Nigeria’s growing security challenges, citing a public intervention published in a national newspaper on February 25, 2018, where he canvassed a decentralised policing system capable of addressing peculiar security concerns across the country.