Osun Assembly approves amendment for state police creation

Ehen my people, una hear the latest gist from Osun? The State House of Assembly just gave a unanimous nod to a constitutional amendment that would finally allow each state to have its own police force. No more waiting for the federal brigade to swoop in when trouble brews in Ilesa or Osogbo. The motion, moved by Speaker Hon. Oyetola, sailed through the chamber on Thursday, and the news has already set the forum buzzing like market drums on a Friday night.

The amendment seeks to insert a new clause into Chapter III of the 1999 Constitution, granting each of the thirty‑six states the power to establish, fund and manage its own police command, subject to oversight by the National Police Commission. In plain terms, Osun would be able to recruit, train and deploy officers who understand the local dialects, customs and the unique security challenges of the state. The governor, Ademola Adeleke, hailed the move as "the long‑awaited answer to chronic insecurity," promising that the new force would be operational within twelve months.

Why the hype, you ask? For years, the federal police have been criticised for being overstretched, under‑resourced and, at times, indifferent to community grievances. In Osun, incidents of cattle rustling, kidnapping and road banditry have surged, prompting residents to demand a more responsive security apparatus. According to the Osun State Security Agency, reported cases of kidnapping rose by 38% between 2021 and 2023, while cattle rustling incidents jumped from 112 to 174 in the same period. Proponents argue that a state police would bridge the gap, offering rapid response, better intelligence gathering and a force that can be held accountable by local lawmakers.

On the other side of the aisle, skeptics warn that a patchwork of state forces could fracture national unity. They point to the 2022 incident in Benue where rival state police units allegedly clashed over jurisdiction, leading to a costly standoff. Moreover, critics stress the financial burden: a recent budget analysis by the Centre for Democracy and Development estimated that establishing a full‑scale state police could cost upwards of ₦12 billion annually, a sum that would likely cut into health and education allocations. Some even fear that politicians might weaponise the force for electoral patronage, recalling how, in the 2019 elections, several state legislators were accused of deploying police units to intimidate opposition supporters in their constituencies.

Both camps, however, agree on one point – the current system is broken. As the old proverb goes, "A tree does not move unless there is wind." The wind of insecurity is blowing hard, and the federal police alone cannot keep the branches from swaying. Supporters thus call for a balanced framework, where the state police operates under a clear national charter, with regular audits by the Police Service Commission to prevent abuse.

Politically, the unanimous vote is a rare show of unity in a chamber often split along party lines. It may signal that the ruling APC in Osun is keen to showcase tangible achievements before the 2027 elections. Yet, the federal government, led by President Tinubu, has remained cautiously neutral, reminding states that any amendment must pass the National Assembly and be signed into law by the President. The next hurdle, therefore, is not just the state’s approval but a nationwide consensus.

So, my fellow forum dwellers, what do we think? Should Osun forge ahead with its own police, trusting that oversight mechanisms will keep the force in check? Or would a stronger, better‑funded federal police be the safer route for all Nigerians? Share your thoughts, your worries and your hopes – because as they say, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."

Ehen my people, this one na serious gbe! Osun Assembly don give green light for state police – finally we go get officers wey sabi our language, our market hustle, and our kin‑kin matter. No more waiting for Naija police to arrive late like “bus wey no dey show”.

If the amendment pass, we go see recruitment of our own boys and girls, training on our streets, and accountability under the National Police Commission. I dey hope Governor Adeleke no go waste money; we need boots on the ground that respect our customs, not just parade in fancy uniforms.

Make we keep pressure on the lawmakers – if dem promise security, make dem deliver. No be just talk, na action we need!

Chioma, I salute the hustle – Osun finally moving from talk to action is the kind of real politics we need.

But let’s not get carried away like a “market drum” before we see the nitty‑gritty: recruitment standards, budget transparency, and—most crucial—how the National Police Commission will actually keep state forces in check. A state police that answers only to the governor could become a tool for patronage, not protection.

If the amendment passes, I expect a public audit of every training centre, a clear chain of command, and community oversight committees that actually have a say. Otherwise we’ll just be swapping one set of uniformed delays for another.

Time to watch the implementation, not just the applause.

Chioma, hold your horses before you start celebrating like you just won a betting slip. "No more waiting for the federal brigade"? Please. We've heard this tune before. The real gist isn't just "allowing" state police, it's about the financial implications.

Who's funding this? Osun already struggles with its recurrent expenditure. Are we talking about another drain on state resources, or a genuine investment in security with clear KPIs and ROI? Until I see a detailed budget breakdown and a robust accountability framework, this is just more political grandstanding. Don't tell me about local dialects, tell me about the balance sheet.

Ehen, my people! This amendment wey Osun Assembly just sign today na like that new Afro‑beat drop wey everybody dey wait for – fresh, full of hype, and everybody ready to dance.

First, make we give credit where credit dey. Having a police force wey sabi our dialect, our market rhythms, and the way our youths dey move around town go cut the “late‑arrival” wahala wey the federal brigade always give. Imagine a drummer who knows the exact tempo of the local “bata” drum; the beat fits perfectly, no awkward pauses. Same thing – local officers fit read the street vibe, intervene before small quarrel turn into full‑blown “gbedu” of violence.

But as any good producer know, a hit song no go survive without proper mixing and mastering. Funding be the biggest bass line we need to get right. Osun already dey juggle road projects, health centres, and school renovations. If we start paying salaries, training, equipment, and the logistics of a whole new command, the state budget go need a serious remix. We must ask: where the money go come from? Will the governor allocate a clear slice of the internally generated revenue, or will we see a “pay‑as‑you‑go” scheme that leaves officers under‑equipped and demotivated?

Oversight be the next track. The National Police Commission get the role of the sound engineer – they must keep the volume in check, stop the distortion, and ensure every state police unit stays on the same key of constitutional compliance. Without that, we risk a cacophony of rogue beats, where each state starts playing its own tune, creating a national discord.

Lastly, recruitment standards must be as tight as a well‑written chorus. We cannot just hire anyone because they know the market slang; they must pass rigorous vetting, physical drills, and ethics training. Otherwise the “song” we’re trying to produce will end up a broken record.

So, let’s celebrate this step like a fresh “Gbedu” drop, but also keep our ears open for the mix‑downs. If the state can fund, train, and supervise properly, Osun’s new police could become the chart‑topper we all deserve. Otherwise, we’ll just be humming a tune that never quite hits the right note.

Your guy,
Ifiok.