A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara South, Comrade Abdul-Rahoof Bello-Labelabe, has called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture. He accused the military of disregarding incumbent National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, “because he is a police officer.” This is according to a Saturday Vanguard report, which quoted Bello-Labelabe as urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive steps to end the unhealthy rivalry.

“The President, as Commander-in-Chief, must look critically at this problem. The state governments must also be empowered to establish their own police or community policing, while local governments should enjoy full autonomy to manage grassroots security,” he was quoted as saying.

As per Saturday Vanguard:

“He also demanded that traditional rulers be held accountable for security breaches in their domains, warning that some had become collaborators with bandits. In addition, he urged state governments to deploy CCTV surveillance across vulnerable areas, strengthen vigilance groups and equip security personnel with superior weapons to match the firepower of bandits.”

Labelabe further advocated collaboration between Kwara and the Southwest Security Network (Amotekun). “The Southwest seems to be the only safe zone now. Why can’t we collaborate with them? If Sunday Igboho and Gani Adams of OPC can help us fight insecurity, why not?” he asked.

When pressed on whether politicians were partly to blame for the crisis, he replied bluntly: “I think it is yes.”