Political commentator, author, and social media Influencer, Reno Omokri, has called for the urgent creation of state and community police units in Nigeria following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and the killing of the school’s vice principal.
In a statement on Tuesday, Omokri condemned the attack and offered condolences to the family of the deceased and prayers for the safe return of the abducted students. He urged the federal government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Omokri argued that while Nigeria’s security agencies are doing their best, they remain overstretched and undermanned for a country of 235 million people. He noted that despite a reduction in school abductions compared to the previous administration during which 881 students were kidnapped between 2015 and 2023 recent incidents underscore the need for structural reform.
According to him, “less than half a million soldiers and police officers” cannot effectively secure both Nigeria’s vast landmass and its expanding population. He asserted that one centrally controlled police force with command in Abuja is no longer sufficient to tackle modern security challenges.
Omokri said the Kebbi attack might have been prevented if the state had its own police force. He urged President Bola Tinubu to lead the push for state and community policing, insisting that the current administration has already made notable gains in security and governance.
He added that increased federal allocations to states now place them in a better financial position to maintain local police structures. “Mr President, please give Nigeria State and Community Police,” he appealed.
