Reps move to fastrack state police as Oyo kidnappings heighten security concerns
The Federal House of Representatives resolved to fast track legislative work for the establishment of State Police and a decentralised security architecture, warning that worsening kidnappings in Oyo State and other parts of the Country are exposing weaknesses in Nigeria’s centralised policing system.
The Federal House of Representatives resolved to fast track legislative work for the establishment of State Police and a decentralised security architecture, warning that worsening kidnappings in Oyo State and other parts of the Country are exposing weaknesses in Nigeria’s centralised policing system.
The move followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, representing Oyo, over the kidnapping of more than 30 pupils and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 16.
The House resolved that the National Assembly and the Executive Arm must, without further excuse or delay, commence full implementation of this House’s adopted resolution on a decentralised and regional security architecture, the creation of State Police, Local Government policing units, decentralised courts, and an integrated national intelligence and surveillance network.
It noted that the people had waited long enough, and every further postponement is paid for in the blood of innocents, and brings the nation closer to being overrun.
Lawmakers condemned the killing of Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher who was reportedly beheaded by his abductors while in captivity, describing the incident as barbaric and a reflection of worsening insecurity around the Old Oyo National Park axis.
Presenting the motion, Alao-Akala said the attack highlighted the urgent need for structural security reforms, including the creation of State Police, Local Government policing units, decentralised courts, and integrated intelligence systems.
He warned that the forests surrounding the Old Oyo National Park had become an ungoverned corridor linking Oyo State to Kwara State and wider international routes, enabling armed groups to move freely and extend insecurity deeper into the South-West.
The lawmaker said the continued reliance on a centralised policing structure directed from Abuja was no longer sufficient to confront localised security threats confronting communities across the country.
The House acknowledged ongoing rescue efforts by security agencies and President Bola Tinubu’s approval of 1,000 forest guards for the region, but lawmakers said more urgent and sustained action was needed to prevent further attacks.
The House subsequently called on the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the release of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers without delay or risk losing them forever,
The House also urged the establishment of a permanent military forward operating base in Orire Local Government Area to strengthen security operations around the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding border corridors.
The House tasked its committees on Defence, Interior, Police Affairs and National Security were mandated to monitor implementation of the resolutions and report back to the chamber within 30 days.
