Governor Seyi Makinde has slammed the Federal Government over the worsening insecurity in Oyo State following the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers.
Speaking on the situation, the Oyo State governor described the moment as a painful one for both himself and residents of the state, stressing that security has always been one of the major priorities of his administration.
According to Makinde, his government introduced several security measures, including the Amotekun corps, after efforts to establish state police failed at the national level.
“This is a very tough period for me as a person and also for our state. But people will know, face security was one of the major pillars of this administration,” he said.
Makinde explained that Amotekun was created as a stopgap measure because the Federal Government did not approve state policing. He noted that there was no Amotekun outfit in Oyo before he became governor.
The governor recalled how South-West states worked together through their Houses of Assembly to establish the regional security network, adding that Lagos remains the only South-West state without Amotekun.
“We wanted state police. It was because we didn’t get state police that’s why Amotekun came as stopgap,” he stated.
Makinde also urged the Federal Government to stop delaying the creation of state police, insisting that state assemblies should have the power to establish and control their own security structures instead of leaving such authority under the Inspector General of Police.
“If they want to do State Police, they should allow our assembly to create it, not the Inspector General of Police. Our state assembly will create it. Give them the authority, the support. Within the shortest possible time, state police will come to be,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over insecurity and increasing reports of kidnappings across parts of Oyo State.
