Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District and serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, has reiterated the call for the establishment of state police as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking in Benin City during an empowerment programme for farmers in selected local government areas in his constituency, the Senator argued that decentralising the nation’s policing structure would help address the rising threat of armed groups, particularly in southern Nigeria.
The consistency is made up of the seven Benin speaking local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District
Imasuen raised concerns about the influx of self-identified hunters from the northern region into southern forests, questioning both their true intentions and national identity.
“These people say they are hunters, but can there be more hunters than the southerners?” he queried.
“For you to leave your region and come deep into the southern forests and claim to be hunting is highly questionable. What do they do with the game they hunt? I don’t see a market where they sell their exploits. It’s confusing to me.”
He pointed out that such movements have heightened fear and tension in local communities, as many question whether all of those arriving are truly Nigerian citizens.
According to Imasuen, these developments reinforce the need for a more localised approach to security.
Citing the overstretched capacity of the Nigerian Police Force, the Senator pointed to regional initiatives like the Amotekun Security Network in western Nigeria as examples of effective local security frameworks.
“State Police would help us secure our homes, streets, and forests. As it stands, the Nigerian Police Force is overstretched and cannot cover every nook and cranny of the country,” he stated.
While acknowledging that state policing poses certain challenges, Imasuen insisted that the benefits would ultimately outweigh the risks, especially in terms of community protection and public trust.
He also commended the Edo State Government for strengthening its local vigilante groups to bolster internal security.
The Senator’s remarks came during a farming empowerment event targeting 100 farmers drawn from the seven Local Government Areas of Edo South.
Participants received cashew, coconut, okra, and ‘ewedu’ seedlings, alongside training in agribusiness skills aimed at boosting productivity and food security.
Imasuen stressed the importance of agriculture not only as a tool for poverty alleviation but also for strengthening the nation’s self-sufficiency.
“A nation that cannot feed itself is in distress,” he said. “If we can produce what we eat locally, we will reduce the strain on our markets and contribute to the economy.”
Lectures delivered during the programme focused on strategic planning in agriculture.
Agribusiness development consultant, Iretiolu Odi urged farmers to carry out SWOT analyses to make their ventures more viable.
Adekunle Azeez, an expert in agricultural distribution, gave practical insights on the care and nurturing of seedlings to ensure successful harvests.
Several beneficiaries, including Idemudia Osagie, expressed appreciation for the opportunity, promising to apply the skills acquired to improve their farming practices.
“I am excited to be part of this programme, and I will use this chance wisely to improve my farming activities,” Osagie said.
Former Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, also commended Imasuen’s initiatives, noting that some beneficiaries had already begun using their training to generate income and contribute to the local economy.
The Senator’s empowerment programme forms part of broader efforts to foster self-reliance among constituents and strengthen Edo State’s agricultural economy.
His call for state policing, meanwhile, adds momentum to ongoing national debates over security reform, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that communities can thrive in a safer and more stable environment.
