Community leaders in Kwara State have called for the direct allocation of security votes to local governments to strengthen grassroots responses to rising insecurity.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday amid recent attacks in parts of Kwara North and Kwara South, members of the Offa Security Committee, led by retired Air Vice Marshal Abdul-Ganiyu Olabisi, said the situation had placed increasing pressure on local communities to organise self-defence and support security agencies.
“As first responders to any breach of security, communities have a critical role to play, but this responsibility cannot be sustained without government support,” Olabisi said.
He disclosed that the Offa community had established a vigilante structure to complement security agencies through intelligence gathering and patrol operations, using limited arms permitted by law.
According to him, the initiative is funded entirely by contributions from individuals, covering salaries, vehicles, motorcycles, fuelling and other logistics.
“Monthly, the community spends over N10 million on security operations without any form of government support. This is not sustainable,” he said.
Olabisi stressed that the government must match calls for community participation with financial backing, noting that the direct allocation of security votes to local governments would improve responses to threats.
“There is an urgent need for the government to allocate security votes directly to local governments to support community-based security initiatives,” he said.
He added that such a framework would enhance transparency and accountability while strengthening the capacity of local communities to tackle insecurity.
“If security votes are channelled directly to local governments, it will strengthen grassroots security and ensure timely responses to incidents within communities,” he said.
Olabisi also expressed concern over the slow pace of efforts to establish state police, noting that while the initiative was commendable, it could take years to fully implement.
“We cannot wait for years while communities are under attack. Immediate intervention through direct funding is necessary,” he said.
He added that improved funding would not only enhance community defence but also deter criminal activities in vulnerable areas.
The call comes amid growing insecurity in parts of Kwara State, particularly in Kwara North and Kwara South, where communities have recorded attacks, killings and displacement of residents.
With the limited presence of formal security forces, many communities have resorted to self-funded vigilante operations, intensifying demands for decentralised funding and greater support for grassroots security initiatives.
Leave a comment