Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said that the fears expressed by critics of state police were justified.

As the National Assembly advances a historic constitutional amendment to decentralise policing, widespread fears remain about political abuse, financial sustainability, and human rights violations.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Gumi highlighted the latter as he shared a video showing some supposed Fulani men caught in the bush being paraded by men of the Iru Ekun security outfit created by Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho.

In the video which has gone viral on social media, an Iru Ekun operative could be heard saying the ‘Fulani Bororo’ men were caught with knives, charms and hammer inside the bush.

He explained that the suspects caught in Oyo State claimed to have arrived from Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State but failed to state their offence.

Oyo State has faced heightened security concerns following the abduction of 46 schoolchildren and teachers from three schools in Oriire local government area of the state on May 15.

Gumi noted that the treatment of the individuals shown in the video was tantamount to human rights violation rooted in ethnic bigotry.

He said, “This pure criminality is uncamouflaged in ethnic bigotry.

“They are locals who don’t know their rights and way to the courts.

“This is why many fear in state police and their fears are justified.” (The Sun)