Adams and Williams call on federal government, lawmakers to set up regional law enforcement agencies

Gani Adams and Ishola Williams, a former Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, have jointly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to establish a legal framework for state police, as part of a broader effort to bolster Nigeria's security architecture.

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This call to action is aimed at creating state and local government police forces, with the duo arguing that decentralised policing is a highly effective way to tackle the country's worsening insecurity, which is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.

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The virtual international conference, themed "Changing Face of Insecurity in Yorubaland," was organised by Yoruba One Voice, and it was at this event that Adams and Williams made their remarks, highlighting the inadequacies of the current centralised policing structure.

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According to Adams, the existing policing framework is ill-equipped to address the growing and localised security threats that are spreading across the country, and he believes that state police would be better positioned to protect residents and gather intelligence.

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Adams expressed his concern over the recent surge in violent crimes in the South-West, particularly the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers from three schools in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State, which occurred on May 15, 2026.

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He also emphasised the need for greater collaboration between government authorities and private security stakeholders, urging South-West governors to deepen their partnerships with grassroots security organisations, such as the Southwest Security Stakeholders’ Group.

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Delivering the keynote address, Williams argued that Nigeria's primary challenge is the lack of public safety, rather than the absence of security structures, and he noted that regional security outfits, such as the Amotekun Corps, already exist and should complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force.

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However, Williams observed that many of these groups are poorly equipped to gather and share intelligence effectively, or to confront heavily armed criminal elements, which is a significant obstacle to their effectiveness.

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Williams called on citizens to demand accountability from state governors regarding the use of security votes allocated to them, and he also urged monarchs to play more active roles in addressing security challenges at the grassroots level.

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He stated, "We need to discuss our shared responsibilities for better governance of our states and the country, and for tackling insecurity decisively," highlighting the need for collective action to address the security challenges facing the country.

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Earlier, Secretary-General of YOV, Adedokun Ademiluyi, explained that the conference was convened in response to the escalating insecurity across Yorubaland, and the urgent need for lasting solutions to this problem.

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Ademiluyi expressed optimism that the deliberations at the conference would promote stronger cooperation among security stakeholders, and help transform the region's security challenges into opportunities for peace, progress, and development.

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YOV Organising Secretary, Victoria Harley, also spoke at the event, stating that the growing spread of insecurity in Yorubaland requires urgent and coordinated action from political leaders and security stakeholders.

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Kolawole Raheem echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need for unity among Yoruba traditional rulers and community leaders, and urging them to take proactive measures to address security threats before they escalate.