ABUJA — Former presidential aide and Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has renewed his call for the establishment of state police across Nigeria, arguing that the country’s security challenges, particularly the protection of schools from abductions, cannot be effectively addressed by the federal security architecture alone.

Reacting to concerns following the recent abduction incident in Ogbomosho, Omokri stated that it would be practically impossible for Nigeria’s armed forces to provide security for all schools nationwide without the active participation of states through a decentralized policing system.

According to him, Nigeria has more than 300,000 schools, while the nation’s military strength stands at about 230,000 active personnel, making it mathematically impossible for the armed forces to guard every educational institution across the country.

“Without states buying into President Bola Tinubu’s State Police initiative, it will be impossible for Nigeria’s 230,000-man army to guard all the approximately 300,000 schools across the country,” he said.

Omokri maintained that while the military could secure some strategic locations, expecting it to provide round-the-clock protection for every school was unrealistic.

He urged critics of his position to provide practical alternatives rather than resorting to personal attacks, insisting that the issue should be approached from a standpoint of logic and critical thinking.

The former presidential spokesman further highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing border security challenges, noting that the country’s borders have remained porous since colonial times.

According to him, effectively policing Nigeria’s vast land borders on a 24-hour basis would require more than one million active military and paramilitary personnel, a figure significantly higher than the country’s current security manpower.

He argued that building such capacity would require substantial financial resources and time.

Omokri also pointed out that the Nigerian Police Force is already overstretched, with officers engaged in routine policing duties while simultaneously supporting military operations in troubled parts of the Northeast and Northwest regions.

“The Nigerian Police Force is already stretching itself to protect the civil population and augment the army in flashpoints in the Northeast and Northwest,” he stated.

He stressed that insecurity in parts of the country is being exacerbated by developments across the Sahel region, which continue to place pressure on Nigeria’s security infrastructure.

Calling for a national conversation on the issue, Omokri challenged opponents of state police to propose workable alternatives for safeguarding schools and communities across the federation.

He maintained that criticism without constructive solutions would do little to address the growing security concerns facing the country.

The debate over the creation of state police has remained a contentious issue in Nigeria, with supporters arguing that decentralizing policing would improve local intelligence gathering and rapid response to security threats, while critics warn about the potential for abuse by state governments.

Recent attacks on schools and communities in various parts of the country have reignited calls for comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

Nigeria Cannot Secure 300,000 Schools Without State Police — Omokri

IBADAN – The Oyo State Fire Services Agency has recovered the bodies of two passengers after a car plunged into the Ariyo River along the Amuloko area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in a tragic accident that has renewed concerns over road safety in the region.

The victims were recovered from the river in the Ona Ara Local Government Area on Friday, May 29, 2026, following a complex rescue operation by officials of the agency. The vehicle involved was identified as a Toyota Avensis with no identifiable registration number, which was said to have lost control before veering off the road and plunging into the water.

Confirming the incident on Saturday, May 30, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Maroof Akinwande, disclosed that the agency received a distress call at exactly 21:40 hours (9:40 PM) on Friday and immediately deployed a rescue team to the scene. Firefighters led by ACFS Amoo arrived to find the vehicle completely submerged in the river and promptly commenced rescue operations.

“On arrival, it was confirmed that the vehicle had swerved off the road and submerged in the river. The rescue team immediately commenced operations by applying all necessary rescue procedures and successfully recovered two casualties from the vehicle,” Akinwande said.

He added that the bodies were subsequently handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Ogbere Divisional Police Headquarters for further action. “The victims were handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force led by ASP Adesuwa Sesan from Ogbere Target Police Station, Ibadan, for further necessary action,” he stated.

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According to Akinwande, preliminary post-incident investigations indicated that the cause of the accident was overspeeding and brake failure. The rescue operation was concluded at approximately 01:19 hours (1:19 AM) on Saturday, after which the crew returned to base and remained on operational standby.

The fire service chairman used the opportunity to urge members of the public to be more safety conscious, especially around festive periods. He also advised motorists to ensure all parts of their vehicles are functioning properly and cautioned against overspeeding to prevent avoidable tragedies.

Dr. Akinwande further encouraged the public to promptly report fire or rescue emergencies, provide accurate addresses, and contact the Fire Service through the following emergency lines: 08067439223, 08054353501, or 615 (toll-free).

The identities of the deceased had yet to be disclosed as of the time of reporting, while the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation by the police. This incident follows a similar tragedy in March 2026, when three bodies were recovered, and five persons were rescued after a commercial bus plunged into the same Ariyo River along Amuloko Road, highlighting persistent road safety challenges in the area.

Two Bodies Recovered as Car Plunges Into River Along Ibadan’s Amuloko Road

Stop Using Videos to Harass Our Officers — IGP Disu Tells Nigerians

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned Nigerians against indiscriminately recording and circulating videos of police officers carrying out lawful duties, saying such actions could undermine security operations and affect officers’ morale.

Disu said while the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to accountability and transparency, members of the public must ensure that recordings and social media engagements involving police personnel are done responsibly. He specifically cautioned against filming officers on duty for content creation purposes, describing the trend as concerning and potentially harmful to operational effectiveness.

The IGP also expressed concern about the circulation of old, misleading videos falsely presented as recent incidents, warning that such content fuels misinformation, creates panic, and undermines national security efforts. He stressed that the Force remains committed to accountability and transparency when it comes to policing, but these principles must be balanced with operational realities.

Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) held at the Police Resource Centre in Abuja over the weekend, Disu addressed the growing trend of civilians recording police officers’ activities at checkpoints and other areas of responsibility and posting the footage on social media. “Yes, accountability is important, and we remain committed to transparency. However, recordings and public engagements involving police officers must be done responsibly and should not be used to harass officers or undermine operational effectiveness,” the IGP stated.

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He cautioned against the growing trend of indiscriminate recording of officers during routine and sensitive activities, including while they are eating, noting that such actions could negatively impact morale at a time when security personnel are confronting multiple security challenges nationwide. “Police officers operate under extremely challenging conditions, often risking their lives to protect citizens and maintain public safety. It is important that public conduct and media coverage do not discourage officers who are committed to doing the right thing,” he added.

Disu disclosed that policing in Nigeria has become increasingly demanding, with officers now working extended hours under severe operational pressures. He revealed that the conventional shift structure has been replaced by round-the-clock duties. “We no longer operate the conventional policing structure of morning, afternoon, and night shifts. Officers work virtually around the clock under very difficult circumstances. Last year alone, the FCT Police Command lost about 140 officers through violent attacks, accidents, and other duty-related incidents,” he revealed. The IGP noted that many officers continue to sacrifice sleep, comfort, and even their lives to ensure citizens live and work peacefully. “If you calculate the number of police officers who die annually across Nigeria while protecting citizens, you will understand the sacrifices they make to keep the country safe,” he said.

Disu reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance stance against impunity, assuring Nigerians that officers found guilty of misconduct would continue to face disciplinary measures in line with established laws and professional standards. “We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to ending impunity within the Force, and we will continue to address complaints against personnel professionally and decisively. At the same time, officers carrying out lawful duties must also be protected from harassment and deliberate misinformation,” he said. The IGP further assured Nigerians of sustained engagement between the police and the media as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, public trust, and effective communication on security matters. He described journalists as strategic partners in the fight against insecurity and urged continued collaboration in promoting responsible and accurate security reporting.

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Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), Festus Fifen, reaffirmed the commitment of crime correspondents to supporting national security efforts through responsible journalism and factual reporting. “We are no longer just reporting violence; we are part of a system working towards building a safer society,” Fifen said. He called for improved collaboration between the police and the media, particularly in the area of timely access to credible information during security incidents to prevent misinformation and speculation. He assured the police leadership that crime correspondents remain committed partners in promoting peace, security, and national development.

The IGP also expressed concern over the circulation of old and misleading videos falsely presented as recent incidents, stressing that such content contributes to misinformation, public panic, and unnecessary tension within communities. “We urge members of the public and social media users to refrain from recycling old or manipulated videos capable of creating panic or undermining national security efforts. Such actions are harmful to the country’s image and stability,” he said. The IG’s appeal comes amid frequent recordings of police officers’ activities at checkpoints and other areas of responsibility by some civilians who then post the footage on social media. According to him, police personnel continue to make enormous sacrifices daily in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities and deserve public understanding and support.

As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force continues to balance its commitment to transparency with the need to protect officers from harassment and misinformation. The IGP has assured Nigerians that legitimate complaints against officers will continue to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, while urging the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in efforts to combat crime and improve community safety.

Stop Using Videos to Harass Our Officers — IGP Disu Tells Nigerian