Odoogbolu (Ogun) – A federal lawmaker, Sen. Gbenga Kaka, has advocated the creation of state police as a panacea to the current security challenges in the country.

He made the call on Monday in reaction to the increasing wave of crime in the statem in Odoogbolu, Ogun

Kaka noted that the security challenges was a national problem, which he blamed on the ineffectiveness of the police under the control of the Federal Government.

The lawmaker, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, noted that advanced democracies of the world had greatly improved on the issue of internal security, through the establishment of state police.

He said the high rate of unemployment had also contributed to the problem of insecurity.

Kaka dismissed the notion that the police and other security agencies were not adequately funded to combat crime.

“If I have my way, the budgetary allocation to security agencies will be reduced in favour of more expenditure to the employment generation sectors.

“This is because it is the idle hand that becomes the devil’s workshop. Rather than giving more money to the police, I will rather use that money to create more employment opportunities.

“For Ogun and indeed the entire country to be freed from the shackles of insecurity, deliberate efforts must be made by government to eradicate unemployment.”

The lawmaker also urged corporate bodies to be socially responsible in complementing government efforts at tackling the security challenges, “so that they too may also have an auspicious environment to operate their various businesses”.

He explained that he had been championing the need for banks operating in Ogun to contribute a certain amount of money in partnership with the civil community and government.

Kaka said that such money would be used for the purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and other security equipment to combat crime in various areas.

He urged the Federal Government to flush out “undesirable elements“ in the police force, “who serve as linkages between robbers and their targets”.

NAN reports that suspected bandits invaded Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, on Nov. 10, killing three students and carting away millions of naira.

Also commenting on development, Dr Jide Awosedo, a renowned real estate and property magnate, noted with regret that the nation was under security siege.

He said with the abundant resources and potential at the nation’s disposal, there was no reason for the current high rate of unemployment.

“Insecurity is not just about Ijebu land or Ogun alone, but the whole country is under siege and government needs to do something very quickly.

“The thing to do about it is very simple. First, government must educate everybody. Secondly, it must employ every able-bodied man that is educated.

“Once government can do those things, it has taken poverty away from the people. Money will not be attractive to anybody to go and commit crime.”

Awosedo also corroborated Kaka’s view that the establishment of state police would reduce the spate of insecurity in the country.

“Issues like kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgence and other social vices will be addressed if the nation can embrace state police.” (NAN)