South-West leaders demand state police, death penalty for kidnappers

South-West leaders back state police and death penalty for kidnappers, urging reforms to tackle rising insecurity across Yorubaland

Leaders in Nigeria’s South-West region, under the South-West Security Stakeholders Summit, have called for the establishment of state police and the imposition of the death penalty for kidnappers, as part of measures to address rising insecurity across Yorubaland.

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The summit, themed “Towards A United Front Against Insecurity in Yorubaland,” took place at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in Lagos and was hosted by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, alongside other Yoruba leaders.

In a communique signed by Gani Adams, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, and Amitolu Shittu, the leaders expressed a commitment to a coordinated approach to crime prevention, conflict resolution, and restoration of peace across the region.

They described kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria as a “hydra-headed monster” used to instil fear, accumulate funds for war, and seize mineral-rich ancestral lands.

The communique urged immediate establishment of state police in all South-West states, recruited from indigenous communities and equipped with both culturally grounded methods and advanced security technologies, including drones and remote surveillance tools.

Leaders also called for a global talent-based volunteer programme allowing Yoruba professionals worldwide to contribute to security initiatives in structured, merit-based roles.

Other recommendations included banning open grazing, promoting cattle ranching supported by the Bank of Agriculture, strengthening welfare for local operatives through a Security Welfare Fund, and providing constitutional responsibilities to traditional rulers to enhance intelligence gathering within their communities.

The summit emphasised that South-West governors should coordinate with traditional leaders in Kwara and Kogi states, while supporting clear foreign assistance to combat kidnappers, bandits, and jihadists without compromising Nigeria’s sovereignty or international law.

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“The summit resolves to foster inclusive collaboration among all security agencies, youth, and traditional institutions to confront the ongoing security threats, protect communities, and restore peace across Yorubaland,” the communique concluded.

Ibrahim Onipede