By Biliamin Abdulmumeen
The Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade, has dismissed claims that traditional rulers are complicit in Nigeria’s growing insecurity, insisting that monarchs should be seen as key partners in tackling security challenges rather than being blamed for them.
The traditional ruler also called for greater involvement of traditional institutions in the proposed state policing system, arguing that their deep knowledge of local communities would strengthen intelligence gathering and improve security.
His comments come as many parts of the country continue to battle banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks on communities.
States including Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and parts of the North Central and South West have witnessed repeated attacks, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes while disrupting farming, education, and economic activities.
Nigeria has also recorded several mass abductions in recent months, including the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, raising fresh concerns about the expanding operations of armed groups.
Many stakeholders have blamed weak policing in rural communities and porous borders for the persistent attacks, increasing calls for the creation of state police.
Although security agencies have intensified military operations across affected areas, many communities continue to face threats from kidnappers and armed groups.
As the debate over state policing continues, the Senate has already passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, while President Bola Tinubu has set up a Presidential Working Group to develop the legal framework for its implementation.
The House of Representatives has also suspended work on its own version of the bill and will instead consider the state police proposal submitted by the Presidency.
