Awori Development Union Submits Position Paper on National Policing Bill, Demands Indigenous Recruitment and Anti-Abuse Safeguards

The Awori Development Union (ADUN), the apex socio-cultural organisation representing the indigenous Awori people of Lagos and Ogun States, has submitted a detailed public memorandum and position paper on the Draft National Policing Bill to the Presidential Working Group.

In the document dated 13 August 2026 and signed by its trustees and leadership, ADUN called for the creation of State Police Services that function as “indigenous community guardians” rather than occupying forces.

The Union argued that for decades the over-centralised Nigeria Police Force operated as an alien institution in host communities, with officers often lacking understanding of local geography, culture and traditional authority. This, it said, fuelled mutual suspicion, weak intelligence gathering and frequent human rights abuses.

Key Recommendations

ADUN’s submission focused on several priority themes, including recruitment integrity, anti-abuse safeguards, community oversight, funding and operational standards.

On recruitment, the Union proposed a Cascading Indigenous Recruitment Model:

Primary preference for vetted native indigenes of the specific locality where a police station or division is situated.

Where local quotas cannot be filled, recruitment should cascade to the broader contiguous ethnolinguistic group.

Non-indigenes seeking national mobility should be directed to the Federal Police Service.

It also called for a comprehensive digital audit of indigene certificates, mandatory triangulation of NIN, BVN, biometrics and DNA profiling, and co-sponsorship of recruits by traditional rulers and a magistrate or clergy, with liability for those who knowingly endorse unsuitable candidates.

On accountability and anti-abuse measures, ADUN recommended:

Mandatory body-worn cameras for all operational personnel, with footage automatically uploaded to an independent, immutable cloud system.

Criminalisation of any attempt to tamper with, delete or obscure body-camera recordings, carrying a minimum five-year prison term.

QR-coded uniform badges that citizens can scan to verify an officer’s identity and lodge complaints or commendations.

Automated digital custody registers that trigger alerts if suspects are held beyond legal limits without court orders.

Unannounced cell inspections by civilian panels including the NBA, NHRC and civil society.

On funding and operations, the Union advocated a multi-tiered financing structure involving federal matching grants, state appropriations and mandatory LCDA allocations. It also pushed for a strict “cashless station” policy, prohibition of cash collection at police facilities, limits on personal cash carried by officers, and automated digital ticketing systems whose revenue would fund equipment and training.

ADUN further called for the institutionalisation of traditional rulers (Baales and Obas) in local Community Security Advisory Committees and mandatory public town halls before any State House of Assembly passes a State Police Service Bill.

Conclusion

The Union warned that decentralisation without strong community anchorage and anti-abuse safeguards would only multiply existing security failures.

It prayed the Presidential Working Group to adopt the cascading indigenous recruitment model, institutionalise traditional and community oversight, mandate body cameras and cashless operations, and establish a sustainable multi-tiered funding mechanism.

ADUN stated it remains ready to participate in validation sessions and present further technical testimony.

The memorandum was signed by Trustees Sodiq Ogabi, Joshua Adebayo and Adenike Akindele, President Oluwaseun Olamilekan Bankole, and Grand Patron Gbenga Ajiboye.

Attached is the original copy of the Awori Development Union’s Position Paper on the National Policing Bill, titled “Demands Indigenous Recruitment and Anti-Abuse Safeguards.”

By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)

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