Nigeria: Governors Don't Regard Tackling Insecurity As Priority - Folarin, Afenifere Scribe

What the report says

Chief Ademola Folarin, the general secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, used an interview published by Vanguard and carried by AllAfrica to argue that Nigeria’s governors are not treating insecurity as a serious priority. Speaking from Ibadan, he said the push for state police is long overdue and maintained that decentralising security would better fit Nigeria’s federal system. He also backed stronger tools for state-level security operations, while saying any new arrangement should still include safeguards against abuse.

Folarin said the Western security network, Amotekun, has not met expectations because state leaders did not back it with enough action. He described the performance of South-West governors as disappointing and said the failure of the initiative shows that security problems cannot be solved through speeches alone. His comments were framed as his own views in parts of the interview, though he also spoke on behalf of Afenifere when discussing state police.

The interview also touched on broader national security questions, including how to handle suspected terrorists and those who have committed killings. Folarin said people convicted of murder should face the law, while others who have not killed could be rehabilitated and reintegrated after serving their sentences. He also criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for urging a United Nations probe into a recent abduction in Oriire, according to the report. The comments reflect continuing debate in Nigeria over police reform, regional security structures and the division of responsibility between state and federal authorities.