Insecurity: Establish State Police Now, Bishop Urges President Tinubu
..calls for equiping of amotekun personnel
The Anglican Bishop of Owo Diocese, Rt. Revd. Dr. Stephen Ayodeji A. Fagbemi has called on the federal and state governments to urgently arm Amotekun and establish state police, citing the continued vulnerability of communities to banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminal violence.
Speaking on Frontline, a public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Monday, Bishop Fagbemi said Nigeria’s current security structure is inadequate to respond promptly to local threats, leaving citizens exposed and instilling fear in places of worship, schools, and markets.
“Security has reached a level of serious concern for everyone,” Bishop Fagbemi said. “Parents are afraid to send children to school. Farmers are hesitant to go to their farms. Worshippers pray with fear. Before you plan an event, you now consider security first. Our system is reactive, not proactive. Criminals take advantage of every delay.”
He recounted the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, noting the trauma it left on communities. “I was standing barely 400 meters away, and the screams, the running, the confusion were unbearable. People were calling from all over, asking if loved ones were safe. You imagine the fear, the helplessness. Even weeks after, some people are still too afraid to come to church.”
Call to arm Amotekun
Bishop Fagbemi highlighted the Amotekun Corps, noting its successes as a community-led security initiative. “Amotekun has been crucial in ensuring some level of safety. But they operate under severe limitations. They are restricted legally and operationally. They lack the authority to arrest decisively and carry appropriate weapons. Yet these are the people closest to the communities, the ones who know the terrain, the roads, and the criminals.”
He added, “If we truly value life, if we are serious about security, we must arm them properly. This is not militarizing civilians; it is equipping those on the frontlines to deter crime and protect our people. They deserve full statutory backing to act effectively.”
State Police: A Decentralized Solution
The Bishop stressed the urgent need for state police. “Imagine a system where criminals in your town can be chased, arrested, and prosecuted without waiting for orders from Abuja. That is the promise of state police. Local authorities, accountable to the people, would respond faster, preventing tragedies before they escalate.”
He said the current centralized policing structure often results in delayed responses. “Many areas are underserved because police resources are stretched. Response times are slow. Criminals exploit this gap daily.”
Ondo State Government’s Performance Rated
In a pointed assessment of local governance, Bishop Fagbemi rated Ondo State government’s response to insecurity “way below average.” “If I were to give a score, it would be four out of ten,” he said. “There is no pass mark. On the ground, the people feel abandoned. They are left to their own devices. Even when ransom is being raised, security agents ask for fuel money, leaving victims and families burdened further.”
Community Realities and Human Cost
Bishop Fagbemi provided vivid illustrations of how insecurity affects communities. “Recently in Owo, kidnappers struck, demanding millions. People are scared to leave home. Churches have had to suspend activities. Families are traumatized. Yet our law enforcement is overstretched and under-equipped. If we fail to act, we are normalizing this suffering.”
He stressed, “Even the courts are slow. Those responsible for attacks are still pleading guilty or not guilty after years. Justice delayed is justice denied, and the people lose faith in institutions. Our communities need protection now, not promises.”
Operational Constraints of Amotekun
“Amotekun is agile and committed. They understand local issues and respond effectively when possible,” Bishop Fagbemi said. “But without full powers to arrest or detain, they can only do so much. Criminals know this. They operate with impunity because the law is not empowering those who protect us.”
He added, “Imagine sending men into forests where kidnappers are hiding without adequate weapons. It is an invitation for disaster. Arming them is urgent.”
Legal and Political Backing Required
Bishop Fagbemi stressed that state governments must collaborate with the federal government to legislate the creation of state police. “A decentralised force would bring decision-making closer to the people. Governors would be accountable, and citizens would see tangible results. This is how we curb insecurity efficiently,” he said.
He highlighted similar successful models: “We already have examples in the South-West. Amotekun shows what community-led security can achieve. State police is simply an evolution, formalizing and empowering these initiatives.”
While advocating for stronger forces, the Bishop emphasized oversight. “With greater powers come greater responsibilities. State police must operate under clear rules, and their actions must be transparent. Otherwise, we risk creating another system where abuse is possible. Accountability and effectiveness must go hand in hand.”
“The economy can not flourish where security is absent,” Bishop Fagbemi said. “Even if indices look good, businesses will suffer if people can not move safely, children can not attend school, and worshippers cannot pray without fear. Security underpins all aspects of society. Without it, everything else is fragile.”
Citizens’ Role in Supporting Security
Bishop Fagbemi encouraged community participation: “Residents, youth groups, church members, and community leaders must cooperate with security agencies. Local intelligence and vigilance are critical. Amotekun and future state police rely on community input to operate effectively.”
He warned against repeating past failures. “Look at the St. Francis Church attack and other incidents. Delay in response emboldens criminals. Delay in justice deepens trauma. We must learn, we must act, and we must prevent history from repeating.”
National Implications
“State police should not be a regional or partisan issue. Every state suffers in some way. What happens in Ondo, Lagos, Kaduna, or Plateau affects the country’s perception of governance. Citizens must see security as a priority at both state and federal levels,” the Bishop said.
“The government must move beyond rhetoric. Too often, they say measures are in place, yet communities remain exposed. If there is political will, legislation and funding for state police can happen quickly. Delays are costing lives,” he added.
“Security is everyone’s business. Faith leaders, politicians, law enforcement, and citizens all have roles. But the foundation is a competent, empowered, and accountable policing structure. Amotekun shows the path. State police will complete it. We can not wait any longer,” Bishop Fagbemi concluded.
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