BREAKING: In Kwara, Bandits Disarmed Forest Guards And Went Away With Their Bike, They Weren’t Well Armed-Okai

Political activist Usman Okai Austin has cautioned that the proposed introduction of state police in Nigeria may not yield the desired improvements in security unless personnel are properly equipped and armed to confront well-organised and heavily armed criminal groups.

Austin made the submission during an interview on TV Platinum on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, where he spoke on the escalating insecurity across parts of the country and the renewed national debate over restructuring Nigeria’s policing system.

He argued that the effectiveness of any security architecture is determined not only by its structure or designation but also by the resources and operational capacity available to those deployed in the field.

According to him, creating additional layers of policing without addressing fundamental issues such as equipment, training and logistics would amount to an incomplete solution.

The activist maintained that discussions around state policing should be accompanied by equal attention to the issue of firepower and protection for officers, noting that security personnel are often confronted by criminal groups that possess sophisticated weapons and operate with significant tactical advantage.

In his view, simply decentralising policing responsibilities without addressing the imbalance in equipment between state forces and armed criminal elements would leave officers exposed and ineffective in the field.

He warned that without adequate investment in modern weapons and protective gear, newly established security outfits could struggle to match the operational strength of armed groups terrorising rural and forested areas across the country.

Austin referenced past incidents as examples of the risks associated with poorly equipped security personnel. He pointed specifically to an attack involving forest guards in Kwara State, where, according to him, operatives were overwhelmed and disarmed by armed bandits operating in the area.

He said the incident illustrated a broader systemic problem in Nigeria’s security framework, where personnel are often deployed without sufficient resources to defend themselves or the communities they are meant to protect.

According to him, such situations undermine public confidence in security agencies and embolden criminal groups who exploit the gap in firepower and preparedness.