Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has renewed calls for the establishment of state police following the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area, describing existing security arrangements as inadequate to tackle rising insecurity across the country.
Makinde stated that the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, was originally introduced in 2020 as a temporary “stop-gap” measure after repeated demands by governors for the creation of state police failed to receive federal approval.
The governor made the remarks amid growing concerns over worsening security challenges in parts of Oyo State following last Friday’s coordinated attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where heavily armed gunmen abducted seven teachers and 25 pupils while reportedly killing one teacher during the invasion.
Rescue efforts for the victims are still ongoing, with security agencies said to be handling the operation cautiously following reports that the abductors issued threats during initial contacts.
Makinde argued that the current structure of Nigeria’s policing system remains too centralized and unable to respond effectively to local security realities, insisting that state governments require stronger constitutional authority to establish and control security outfits directly accountable to local communities.
According to him, recent efforts by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the newly appointed Assistant Inspector-General overseeing Zone 11, Olatunji Disu, though commendable, cannot fully replace the need for constitutionally-backed state policing structures.
The governor stressed that state Houses of Assembly already possess constitutional powers to enact laws establishing local security frameworks tailored to their peculiar challenges.
“Amotekun was created because our calls for state police were ignored. It was meant to fill the vacuum temporarily, but insecurity has continued to evolve beyond what temporary arrangements can adequately handle,” Makinde reportedly stated.
The latest development has further intensified the national debate over state policing, federal control of security architecture, and the growing calls for decentralisation of Nigeria’s security system.
Security analysts believe the renewed debate reflects increasing frustrations among state governments struggling to combat kidnapping, banditry, cult-related violence, and attacks on schools and rural communities.
The school abduction in Oriire has continued to generate widespread reactions across Oyo State, with parents, teachers, labour unions, civil society groups, and legal practitioners calling for urgent measures to prevent further attacks on schools and protect vulnerable communities.
The incident has also raised fresh concerns over the safety of pupils and teachers within rural learning environments as fear continues to disrupt academic activities in affected areas.
