Ondo Cleric Backs Tinubu’s Push For State Police

A renowned Ondo Cleric Backs Tinubu’s Push for State Police-based cleric, Prophet Sunday Oluwadaisi, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s support for establishing state police, describing it as a crucial step toward tackling Nigeria’s growing insecurity.

Oluwadaisi, Primate of the Cherubim and Seraphim Protection Church of Zion, said the country’s security challenges require a coordinated response involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies and citizens.

He spoke at a Community Security Awareness Summit themed “Safety in Our Community: A Collective Responsibility” held at Abereke in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The summit, organised as part of the church’s 63rd International Seven-Day Revival Convention, attracted representatives of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps, vigilante groups, traditional rulers and community leaders.

Addressing participants, the cleric said rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, sea piracy, insurgency and other violent crimes demand collective action from all stakeholders.

He stressed that security should not be viewed as the exclusive responsibility of government or security agencies, urging citizens to actively contribute to protecting lives and property.

“We should collectively be ready to do whatever it takes to preserve the peace and unity of our communities and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Oluwadaisi lamented the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, armed bandits, kidnappers, armed herders and sea pirates, saying their operations have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of communities, emotional trauma and worsening food insecurity.

He identified poverty, unemployment, weak local institutions, ungoverned forests and the proliferation of illegal arms as key drivers of insecurity across the country.

The cleric argued that state police would strengthen grassroots security by deploying personnel familiar with the local terrain, language and culture.

“The full implementation of state police is necessary because it will ensure security personnel are deployed within communities across the country, and their presence will help curb criminal activities,” he said.

He also commended President Tinubu’s administration for efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and urged Nigerians to support the Renewed Hope Agenda while working collectively to restore peace and stability.

Delivering a lecture on behalf of the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa, the Naval Project Officer, Lieutenant Jamailu Mamman, described security awareness as a critical component of modern security management.

Mamman said Nigeria continues to face threats from banditry, kidnapping, sea piracy, cultism and insurgency, stressing that security agencies require the cooperation of the public to succeed.

“There is no way security agencies can succeed without members of the public providing useful and timely information,” he said.

He identified poor security awareness, reluctance by citizens to share intelligence, weak collaboration among stakeholders and the existence of ungoverned spaces as major obstacles to effective security operations.

Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of Abereke Community, Mr. Ebigbemi Samson, appealed to the Federal and Ondo State Governments to strengthen security in riverine communities by providing greater operational support for security agencies.

He specifically called for improved logistics and operational capacity for the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Police Force and the Amotekun Corps to combat sea robbers and other criminal elements operating along the waterways.

Samson also urged the government to provide better accommodation and operational facilities for security personnel to enhance their effectiveness in protecting lives and property in coastal communities.

President Tinubu has consistently advocated the establishment of state police, arguing that state governments need greater authority and operational capacity to tackle security challenges within their jurisdictions.

Last week, both chambers of the National Assembly approved the Executive Bill seeking the establishment of state police. The House of Representatives adopted the bill after withdrawing its earlier constitutional amendment proposal, following the Senate’s earlier passage of the legislation.