The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed the renewed call by governors in the South-West for the creation of state police, urging President Bola Tinubu to accelerate efforts toward establishing the system.
The party described the proposal as timely and consistent with long-standing regional demands for a more effective and decentralised security structure. Its position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo.
Oladejo said the collective stance of the governors reflected a clear appreciation of the evolving security threats confronting communities in the South-West and across the country. According to him, the scale and complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges require layered policing solutions, making the establishment of state police “not only ripe but long overdue.”
He noted that the South-West had repeatedly advocated reforms aimed at devolving policing powers and strengthening community-based security structures. He cited the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, as proof of the effectiveness of locally driven responses to crime and emerging threats.
Oladejo argued that state police would improve intelligence gathering, enhance response capabilities and deepen collaboration among security agencies. He added that a multi-level policing system had become increasingly necessary as criminal activities continue to grow in sophistication.
The party spokesman said the governors’ latest position aligns with President Tinubu’s pledge to modernise Nigeria’s security architecture and deploy more adaptable strategies across the federation.
Oladejo stressed that the party remained convinced that, if properly regulated and centrally coordinated, state police would complement ongoing national security efforts rather than undermine them. He urged Nigerians to engage the issue objectively and avoid politicising a matter he described as essential to national stability.
He maintained that fear-based narratives would not advance solutions to Nigeria’s pressing security concerns, calling instead for constructive public engagement on how a decentralised policing model could function effectively within the country’s federal framework.
Oladejo reaffirmed the Lagos APC’s confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to deliver far-reaching reforms that prioritise the protection of lives and property. He also commended the South-West governors for their continued commitment to safeguarding residents, noting that their united front underscores the urgency of adopting modern security strategies.
The spokesman added that the Lagos APC would continue to support policy initiatives aimed at strengthening national resilience against crime.
Governors from the region, under the South-West Governors’ Forum, met in Ibadan on Monday where they renewed their call for the creation of state police as part of efforts to address persistent security challenges in the zone and the nation at large.
