Former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, has called for the federal government to authorise states to set up a regional security system to address the security challenges nationwide.

Mr. Peter Obi, while featuring on Channels TV programme on Monday evening, said he set up a security outfit for communities in Anambra, which the government funded. 

“Allow some region-like state security system to function. The government has to come out genuinely to tackle the issue of security of lives and properties by investing in them,” said Mr. Obi.

“I served as a governor, and when I found out that we had a security issue, I decided that every community in Anambra state must have their own security outfit funded and supported by the government,” he added.  

“If you go to Anambra state, every community has a pickup for security. In fact, some own two or three. A community like Nnewi owns four or five because it is critical.”

Mr. Obi, the vice president of the People Democratic Party in the 2019 elections, explained further, “Support every community, let governments of the states support every community. There is no better protection or security you can have within a community than those communities being in charge of their own security because they know the criminals.” 

“They know those who are foreigners in their community. It is very easy. You can’t come to my village and provide a better community than my villagers,” Mr. Obi added.

In 2020, the South-West governors launched a security outfit known as Western Nigerian Security Network code-named Amotekun. 

States in the region established Amotekun to tackle kidnappings, banditry, and killings. 

The South-East region also set up a security outfit, Eastern Security Network, by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.

But the security outfits are confronted with many challenges and have not been able to curb insecurity in the regions.