Former Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Teslim Folarin, has called on the federal government to decentralise the country’s security architecture.
The lawmaker representing Oyo Senatorial District at the National Assembly also faulted the role of social media in Nigeria’s security challenges.
He made this known while delivering the 2021 alumni lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Oyo State branch on Friday, TrackNews Online reports.
Senator Folarin pointed out that decentralising the nation’s security architecture would help put an end to the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, armed robberies and other criminal activities in the country.
While admitting that the statistics of insecurity was rising in geometric proportions, the lawmaker said a police officer from Akwa in Anambra state cannot effectively police Oja Igbo in Ibadan, Oyo State, because he does not know the terrain.
“Perhaps we should give more thought to the need to decentralise the security architecture of the country,” Teslim Folarin said.
“It is very clear that the statistics of insecurity is rising in great and geometric proportions. We are all witnessing the negative effects of insecurity in the land.
“These include incidents and cases of kidnapping, armed robberies, violence and other acts of insurrection.
“There is no way a police officer from Awka in Anambra can come to Oja Igbo in Ibadan and effectively police the area. He does not know the terrain. So, there is a need to decentralise the security architecture in the country.
“We must emphasize the fact that the social media has compounded the challenges of security and governance in the country. What do I mean?
“The new media has the advantage of quick and wide disemination of information, but the new media is also notorious for the spread of half-truths and fake news which can pose greater in the mind nation.”
