The Southern Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, on Wednesday, renewed its persistent call for the establishment of State Police, insisting that the success of community and regional security outfits has further proven the urgency of decentralised policing.
At a meeting held at the Iperu residence of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Forum also reaffirmed its commitment to national cohesion, deeper regional collaboration and the pursuit of a safer, more inclusive federation.
The governors resolved to intensify collective efforts to safeguard lives and property across the southern part of the country.
The gathering drew governors from the South-West, South-East and South-South, alongside influential monarchs. Among those present were Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Alex Otti (Abia), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Deputy governors representing their principals included Kola Adewusi (Osun), Bayo Lawal (Oyo), Peter Odey (Cross River) and Dennis Idahosa (Edo).
Traditional rulers who joined the deliberations included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze C. I. Ilomuanya; and the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi.
The meeting highlighted the indispensable role of traditional institutions in national unity and grassroots security, especially in intelligence gathering.
The Forum urged state governments to formally integrate traditional rulers into their security councils, citing their closeness to local communities and their ability to provide early-warning signals.
Security chiefs from the Army, Police, DSS and NSCDC also attended, updating the Forum on manpower gaps, equipment needs and the need for improved intelligence coordination.
To boost regional capacity, the governors approved the establishment of a Zonal Security Fund, which member states will finance to support joint operations and training.
According to the communiqué:
“The Forum endorsed a monthly zonal security coordination meeting for state security advisers and adopted a unified intelligence-sharing framework using modern communication and surveillance technologies. States are to jointly invest in equipment that ensures seamless interstate communication.”
Reiterating their unwavering push for State Police, the governors noted that existing local and regional outfits have clearly demonstrated the need to decentralise policing for greater effectiveness.
They also resolved to strengthen support for community-level security groups, including hunters and surveillance units, through enhanced logistics and equipment.
The communiqué further encouraged southern states to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, to implement a unified resident identification system, and to work with traditional rulers to regulate land allocation in ways that do not heighten security risks.
The Forum also vowed to jointly tackle illegal mining due to its environmental dangers, in cooperation with environmental agencies and traditional councils.
Member states were urged to provide both operational and financial support to their traditional councils to enhance their influence in governance and peacebuilding.
The communiqué added that the Forum condemned efforts to create rifts within the region, stressing that Southern Nigeria remains united and committed to peaceful coexistence. It pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Government to promote peace and development across the federation.
Speakers’ Conference Raises Alarm Over Insecurity
In a separate development, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria warned that rising insecurity poses a severe threat to Nigeria’s stability and must be urgently confronted with a national peace framework.
Speaking at the opening of the 19th International Conference of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice at the University of Ibadan, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Adebo Ogundoyin, cautioned that escalating kidnapping, banditry and communal clashes demand immediate, coordinated action.
Ogundoyin, who also serves as Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, stressed that peace rests on justice, fairness and security, saying, “We must act with urgency and clarity of purpose.”
He insisted that security efforts must transcend political, ethnic and religious divides and called for synergy among traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society and other stakeholders.
Appealing directly to the President, Ogundoyin said, “On behalf of the Conference of Speakers, I appeal to President Bola Tinubu to deploy more robust and strategic measures to entrench lasting peace nationwide.”
He added that with the disturbing rise in violent crimes, “this is the time for a comprehensive national framework that strengthens security architecture, deepens intelligence gathering, and enhances collaboration between federal and sub-national governments.”
He said, “The call for peace is urgent, and we must unite behind the President’s leadership to restore calm and hope to affected communities.”
Ogundoyin assured that state legislatures are prepared to give full backing to any initiative that promotes long-term peace, development and national cohesion.
