The Pan-Yoruba Social-Political group, Afenifere, has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to send an executive bill to the National Assembly on the establishment of state police to tackle insecurity in different parts of the country.
The mainstream Yoruba organisation, after a meeting held in the house of the leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, expressed concern over the rate of insecurity despite the efforts made by both the state and Federal Government.
In a communique read by the spokesman of the group, Comrade Jare Ajayi, also asked the Federal Government to procure security gadgets, including military drones, and trackers to check insecurity.
Besides, the group said the government should implement the anti-grazing law as part of efforts to curtail herders and farmers’ clashes in the Middle Belt and other parts of the country.
The communique read by Ajayi said after the meeting presided by Oba Olu Falae read: “Afenifere takes note of various efforts of the governments to combat the increasing security situation in the country. The organization feels that, much as the security agencies are trying their best, a lot still needs to be done to achieve the desired objectives on security.
“While commending the efforts of the military and other security agencies, Afenifere is of the strong opinion that the current situation cannot be quelled by force of arms alone. There is a need for strong policies on truth, justice, and a determination to ensure that no set of people constitutes a danger or threat to other people.
“Afenifere is recommending that the State Police be established without further delay. In this respect, Afenifere calls on President Bola Tinubu to forward an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the establishment of State police in line with his pronouncement that says that State Police is now a necessity.
“We call on the President to use his authority to ensure that the process that will lead to the actualization of state police gets done immediately.
Modern technology equipment is procured and adroitly deployed. Some of these are drones, closed-circuit cameras, etc.
“While the above are important, the need to deal with internal collaborators is also very crucial. As stated by various people in the position to know, including some top government officials, elements within the community, in political offices, and among security agencies are collaborating with those who are terrorizing the country.
“Note is taken of the fact that some states have promulgated laws on anti-open grazing. Note is also taken of the call by the federal government to states to come up with ranches to put a stop to open grazing. Afenifere fully supports this and calls for the urgent enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing laws.
” As we, Afenifere, have repeatedly advocated, restructuring the country is capable of resolving the sociopolitical and socioeconomic challenges of the country.
For this reason, we strongly believe that the time for Restructuring is now. As such, we call on the Presidency to send a Bill to the National Assembly for restructuring the country now.”
