Abayomi Susan
The Awori Development Union (ADUN), the apex socio-cultural organisation representing the indigenous Awori people of Lagos and Ogun States, has submitted a memorandum and position paper on the Draft National Policing Bill to the Presidential Working Group.
In the document dated August 13, 2026, and signed by the union’s trustees and leadership, ADUN advocated the establishment of State Police Services that would operate as “indigenous community guardians” rather than occupying forces.
The union argued that the highly centralised structure of the Nigeria Police Force has, over the years, resulted in officers being deployed to communities where they may have limited knowledge of the local geography, culture and traditional institutions.
According to ADUN, this has contributed to mistrust between communities and law enforcement agencies, weakened local intelligence gathering and increased concerns over human rights abuses.
Key Recommendations
One of the major proposals in the submission is the Cascading Indigenous Recruitment Model, which recommends that priority be given to suitably vetted indigenes of the locality where a police station or division is located.
Where local recruitment quotas cannot be met, the union proposed extending recruitment to the wider contiguous ethnolinguistic group. It also recommended that non-indigenes seeking nationwide deployment should be recruited into the Federal Police Service.
ADUN further called for a comprehensive digital audit of certificates of indigene status, alongside the verification of NIN, BVN and biometric information. It also proposed the involvement of traditional rulers and a magistrate or clergy in sponsoring recruits, with accountability for individuals who knowingly endorse unsuitable candidates.
On accountability and safeguards against abuse, the union recommended mandatory body-worn cameras for operational personnel, with footage automatically uploaded to an independent and secure cloud-based system.
It also proposed criminalising attempts to tamper with, delete or conceal body-camera recordings, with a minimum five-year prison sentence for offenders.
Other recommendations include QR-coded uniform badges that would enable members of the public to verify officers’ identities and submit complaints or commendations.
The union also proposed automated digital custody registers capable of triggering alerts when suspects are held beyond legally permitted periods without appropriate court orders.
In addition, ADUN called for unannounced inspections of police cells by civilian panels involving representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, National Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations.
Funding and Community Oversight
On funding and operations, the union advocated a multi-tier financing structure involving federal matching grants, state appropriations and mandatory allocations from Local Council Development Areas.
It also proposed a strict cashless policy at police stations, a ban on cash collections at police facilities, limits on the amount of personal cash officers may carry while on duty, and automated digital ticketing systems to generate revenue for equipment and training.
ADUN further recommended that traditional rulers, including Baales and Obas, be formally represented on local Community Security Advisory Committees.
It also called for mandatory public town hall meetings before any State House of Assembly considers legislation establishing a State Police Service.
The union cautioned that decentralising policing without strong community participation and effective safeguards against abuse could reproduce or worsen existing security challenges.
ADUN therefore urged the Presidential Working Group to consider its proposals on indigenous recruitment, community and traditional oversight, body-worn cameras, cashless police operations and sustainable multi-level funding.
The union said it remained available to participate in validation sessions and provide further technical input on the proposed policing reforms.
The memorandum was signed by Trustees Sodiq Ogabi, Joshua Adebayo and Adenike Akindele; President Oluwaseun Olamilekan Bankole; and Grand Patron Gbenga Ajiboye.
