By Our Correspondent
National News – The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has warned that the South-West security outfit, Amotekun Corps, is being politicised, a development he believes is weakening efforts to combat rising insecurity in Nigeria.
Adams also lamented that criminal activities in the country are gradually turning into a “business venture,” with organised networks exploiting security gaps.
Speaking during an interview, Adams stressed that insecurity across Nigeria has reached an alarming level and requires urgent collaboration between government authorities, communities, and security stakeholders.
According to him, relying solely on the Federal Government and centralised policing has proven ineffective in tackling growing threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on traditional rulers.
The Yoruba leader called on the Federal Government to approve the creation of state police, arguing that decentralised policing would significantly strengthen security operations.
He explained that recruiting officers from local communities would improve intelligence gathering and response to crimes within specific regions.
Adams proposed a joint funding structure for state police, suggesting that state governments should contribute 60 percent of the funding while local governments provide the remaining 40 percent.
He noted that such collaboration would ensure the sustainability and operational efficiency of the security system.
Addressing concerns that state police could be abused by politicians, Adams argued that such fears have been used for decades to block reform.
He pointed out that the existing federal policing structure has also faced accusations of political misuse, particularly during election periods.
Adams further criticised the recruitment process into the Amotekun Corps, saying that political considerations have overshadowed competence and professionalism.
According to him, the first recruitment exercise in Oyo State was relatively fair, but subsequent exercises in other states have been heavily politicised.
He also raised alarm over increasing attacks on traditional rulers in the South-West, revealing that about seven monarchs have been killed across the region and in Yoruba-speaking communities of Kwara State.
Adams warned that insecurity has begun spreading to major cities including Ibadan and parts of Ogun State, while kidnappings have been reported in areas such as Epe and Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos.
The security advocate urged South-West governors to work closely with community security groups and intelligence networks to prevent further deterioration of safety in the region.
