Security committee seeks direct allocation of votes to councils
Security Committee in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State has called for direct allocation of security votes to local governments. It said the current structure had left grassroots communities
Security Committee in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State has called for direct allocation of security votes to local governments.
It said the current structure had left grassroots communities overstretched amid rising security threats.
The call came against the backdrop of renewed terrorist attacks in parts of Kwara North and Kwara South.
A member of the committee, Air Vice Marshal Abdul-Ganiyu Olabisi (Rtd), said in an interview with The Nation in Abuja that several communities in the affected areas had come under severe attacks in recent times, resulting in loss of lives and displacement of residents, and increasing pressure on indigenes to organise self-defence.
Olabisi noted that while communities had stepped up efforts to support security agencies, lack of government funding remained a major constraint.
“As first responders to any breach of security, communities have a critical role to play, but this responsibility cannot be sustained without government support,” he said.
The retired Air Vice Marshal disclosed that 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 by contributions from well-meaning 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 added the primary responsibility of the government remained the protection of lives and property, urging authorities to match calls for community participation with concrete financial backing.
“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 said such a framework would enhance transparency and accountability in the use of security funds, while also improving the capacity of local communities to respond to threats.
“If security votes are channelled directly to local governments, it will strengthen grassroots security and ensure timely response to incidents within communities,” he added.
Olabisi also expressed concern about the slow pace of efforts to establish state police, noting 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 said empowering communities financially would not only improve their defensive capacity, but also deter criminals from exploiting vulnerable areas.
“Once communities are better equipped and organised, it will reduce the ease with which attackers operate,” he said.
