State Police Bill: Afenifere Warns Against FG Control
Afenifere is drawing a hard line on the State Police Bill. The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sending the bill to the National Assembly, but they are not here for federal overreach. They want true autonomy for state police, not an appendage of Abuja. Afenifere is demanding that lawmakers move policing to the Concurrent Legislative List to ensure local control and genuine security reform.
Why Afenifere wants policing on the Concurrent List
Afenifere praised the Tinubu administration for initiating the state police push and acknowledged the lawmakers trying to fast-track it. However, they spotted a major trap in the fine print. Jare Ajayi, the group's National Publicity Secretary, laid it out after a caucus meeting at Pa Reuben Fasoranti's Akure residence. He warned that certain clauses in the bill strengthen the federal government's stronghold instead of liberalizing policing. If state police simply take orders from Abuja, we are back to square one. True federalism means local communities control their own security architecture.
Oyo abductions: 50 days of avoidable trauma
While the politicians debate structure, our people are suffering. Afenifere sounded the alarm on the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. These innocent Nigerians have spent about 50 days in captivity. Fifty days. Afenifere labeled this a big pity and demanded urgent action to pull the victims from the bandits' den. We cannot accept avoidable trauma as the new normal.
Crushing insecurity and exposing internal collaborators
Afenifere did not mince words for the governors of Yoruba-speaking states, alongside Kogi and Kwara. They demanded decisive action to crush the insecurity paralyzing movement across the region. The group also commended the gallantry of Nigerian troops and sympathized with the families of fallen heroes, but they pushed for better equipment, improved welfare, and a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
Furthermore, Afenifere challenged the government to expose the enemies within. They called for a searchlight on local collaborators aiding insecurity. They also demanded the profiling of illegal mining sponsors. The pattern is clear and disturbing. People are forced off their ancestral lands by bandits, and illegal mining starts almost immediately. That is not a coincidence. It is an attack on African sovereignty and resource control.
Peaceful elections and the push for restructuring
As election season heats up, Afenifere issued a strict warning to politicians. No thuggery, no violence, and no character assassination. Elections must be devoid of bloodshed.
Above all, Afenifere reiterated its core demand. Restructuring is the ultimate key to accelerating national development. The group acknowledged President Tinubu's initial steps but urged him to move faster and do more. Restructuring is not just a political slogan. It is the blueprint for a stronger, self-determined Nigeria.
Will the State Police Bill give true autonomy?
No, not in its current form. Afenifere warns that specific clauses still give the federal government excessive control over state police, which would defeat the purpose of localized security.
What does moving policing to the Concurrent List achieve?
Moving policing to the Concurrent Legislative List allows both the federal and state governments to legislate on security matters. This breaks the monopoly of Abuja and empowers states to build independent, responsive police forces.
Why is Afenifere linking illegal mining to insecurity?
Afenifere alleges that bandits displace local communities from their lands, and illegal miners move in immediately afterward. They believe profiling and prosecuting the sponsors of this illegal mining will expose the financial backbone of the insecurity.
