By Charles Pemu 
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has added its voice to the growing national call for the implementation of State Police as a critical solution to the security crisis gripping the nation. The group strongly condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s “seeming lack of decisive action” in addressing escalating violence, kidnappings, and incursions by armed groups, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement issued yesterday by the IYC Spokesman, Ambassador Binebai Princewill, the group lamented that the unprecedented levels of violence and terror, which they attribute to “Fulani terrorists/jihadists,” have created a humanitarian crisis. This crisis is displacing families, severely disrupting economic activities, and undermining the livelihoods of people across the region.
The IYC emphasized that the persistent reliance on rhetoric rather than concrete action has emboldened perpetrators and exposed communities to unrelenting attacks. It insisted that the era of “token responses and piecemeal measures” must end, demanding that the government take immediate responsibility for protecting lives and property.
“The IYC Worldwide demands the implementation of State Police as a critical solution to the security challenges facing our nation,” Princewill stated.
The IYC argued that the State Police framework would empower local communities to take ownership of their security, ensuring that people are protected by those who deeply understand their unique needs, terrain, and circumstances, thereby enabling more effective policing.
Call to Niger Delta Governors
The IYC also issued a direct call to all State Governors in Nigeria, especially those from the Niger Delta region, urging them to be more proactive in ensuring the security and well-being of their citizens.
“The IYC Worldwide expects more from our leaders, and it is time they prioritized the security and welfare of our people over political considerations,” the statement read, adding that the lack of action from some leaders has been “quite telling.”
Beyond immediate security measures, the group demanded that the Federal Government and State Governors take concrete steps to address the root causes of insecurity, specifically citing poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to social amenities as factors contributing to the rise of violent groups and criminal activities.