Nigeria requires specialized highway and tourism police units, says former Osun legislator, as state police alone are insufficient.

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A 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.

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Oyintiloye made the call while congratulating Nigerians on the Senate’s approval of state police, describing the development as a historic milestone in the nation’s pursuit of a more effective, responsive and community-oriented security architecture.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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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.

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“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.

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The former lawmaker expressed satisfaction that a cause he had championed for years had finally gained traction under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

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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.

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“The Senate’s approval vindicates years of advocacy by well-meaning Nigerians, security experts and public policy stakeholders who recognised the limitations of a highly centralised policing system.

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“The establishment of state police will strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to security threats, deepen community policing, create employment opportunities and empower law enforcement agencies to better understand and address local security challenges,” he added.

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Oyintiloye also called for the deployment of modern security technology to support the new policing structure.

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According to him, tools such as closed-circuit television cameras, drones, digital communication systems and integrated crime databases are essential for improving the effectiveness of security operations.

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He further stressed the need for a strong community policing framework that would integrate traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders into intelligence-sharing networks.

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The debate over state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious security and constitutional issues for decades. Advocates argue that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, response times and community engagement, especially in addressing local security threats such as banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts.

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However, critics have expressed concerns about the potential abuse of state-controlled police by political office holders and have called for strong legal safeguards, oversight mechanisms and accountability frameworks to prevent misuse.

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The Senate’s approval of state police is widely regarded as a significant step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture amid growing calls for reforms to address the country’s complex and evolving security challenges.

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