Ex-Lawmaker: Nigeria Needs Highway, Tourist Cops Beyond State Police — Osun

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, who previously served as the representative for Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, has asserted that Nigeria requires more than just the recently approved state police to effectively address its complex security issues. He advocates for the formation of additional, specialised law enforcement bodies.

This appeal came as Oyintiloye extended congratulations to Nigerians following the Senate’s endorsement of state policing. He characterized this legislative action as a significant landmark in the nation’s journey towards establishing a more efficient, reactive, and community-focused security framework. In a statement released from Osogbo on Thursday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain highlighted that security operations achieve maximum effectiveness when they are locally driven, guided by intelligence, and enjoy public support.

“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,” Oyintiloye stated. He added, “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.”

While commending the approval of state police as a positive development, Oyintiloye further contended that Nigeria should implement a multi-layered policing system to tackle emerging security challenges. He elaborated, “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.”

The former lawmaker expressed profound satisfaction that a cause he championed for many years has finally gained momentum under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He recalled his consistent advocacy for the establishment of state police as a practical solution to Nigeria’s escalating security concerns, referencing a public intervention he published in a national newspaper on February 25, 2018, where he proposed a decentralised policing system capable of addressing specific security issues across the country.

“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,” he noted. Oyintiloye further explained that “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.”

Additionally, Oyintiloye called for the integration of modern security technology to bolster the new policing architecture. He emphasised that tools such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, drones, advanced digital communication systems, and integrated crime databases are crucial for enhancing the efficiency of security operations. He also underscored the necessity of a robust community policing framework that would involve traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, and other key stakeholders in intelligence-sharing networks.

The discussion surrounding state police has been one of Nigeria’s most contentious security and constitutional matters for decades. Proponents argue that a decentralised policing system would improve intelligence collection, response times, and community engagement, particularly in confronting local security threats like banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts. Conversely, critics have voiced apprehension regarding the potential for political office holders to misuse state-controlled police, advocating for stringent legal safeguards, oversight mechanisms, and accountability frameworks to prevent such abuses. The Senate’s recent approval of state police is widely seen as a pivotal step towards reforming Nigeria’s security architecture amidst increasing calls for reforms to address the nation’s complex and dynamic security challenges.