A civil society organization has voiced strong opposition to the federal government's proposed establishment of Forest Guards, describing the initiative as potentially counterproductive to Nigeria's security framework.
The Ondo Citizens for Good Governance (OCGG) warned that introducing another security outfit would derail efforts to decentralize Nigeria's policing structure and create unnecessary duplication of roles.
Calls for Amotekun Upgrade Instead of New Security Outfit
In a statement issued on Friday, OCGG Coordinator Olawumi Adegbola urged the federal government to abandon the Forest Guards proposal and instead focus on elevating the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, to a state police status.
"If Amotekun has been effectively securing our forests, why introduce another layer of bureaucracy that may complicate rather than complement existing efforts?" Adegbola questioned.
The group expressed concerns that the proposed Forest Guards might eventually fall under the control of "distant federal appointees who lack native intelligence and historical context" and whose interests might not align with local security needs.
State Police as a Practical Solution
According to OCGG, creating state police represents the most practical and urgent solution to address the growing challenges of banditry and kidnappings across various parts of the country.
Adegbola emphasized that governments at all levels, particularly in the South-West region, should work toward institutionalizing the Amotekun Corps into a fully-fledged state police structure to strengthen the fight against crime.
The group warned that establishing new Forest Guards would not only lead to duplication of roles but would also strain existing security resources that could be better utilized by enhancing current frameworks.
This development comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges across multiple regions, prompting debates about the most effective approaches to maintaining public safety and combating criminal activities.
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