The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress has endorsed the renewed appeal by South West governors for the establishment of state police, urging President Bola Tinubu to accelerate efforts toward making it a reality.
In a statement released on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Mr Seye Oladejo, the party described the proposal as timely and consistent with long-standing regional demands for a more proactive security system.
According to the statement obtained by The News Chronicle, Oladejo said the governors’ call showed a clear grasp of the shifting security landscape affecting communities across the South West and beyond. According to him, the country’s security problems have grown more complex, making multi-layered policing not only necessary but overdue.
He explained that the South West had been at the forefront of advocacy for decentralised policing and strengthened grassroots security structures.
He highlighted initiatives like the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, which he said had proven the value of community-driven responses to crime and emerging threats.
Oladejo noted that adopting state police would boost intelligence gathering, enhance operational response and foster better collaboration among security agencies. He added that as criminal tactics become more sophisticated, a layered security model is increasingly essential.
The spokesman said the stance of the governors aligns with President Tinubu’s efforts to modernise the nation’s security architecture.
He maintained that state police, when properly regulated and coordinated at the federal level, would reinforce ongoing national security initiatives.
Oladejo appealed to citizens to engage in the discussion with fairness and avoid turning it into a political contest, stressing that fear-based arguments would not address the country’s urgent security needs.
He encouraged Nigerians to contribute thoughtfully to how the proposed security structure could work within the federal system.
He reaffirmed the party’s trust in President Tinubu’s ability to deliver meaningful security reforms that protect lives and property.
He also praised the South West governors for their sustained dedication to the safety and well-being of residents, noting that their unified position highlights the need for modern methods to tackle insecurity.
According to him, the Lagos APC will remain committed to supporting policies that strengthen the country’s resilience against criminal activities.
South West governors had on Monday, during a meeting in Ibadan, renewed their demand for the creation of state police as a necessary tool to address security challenges confronting the region and the nation.
