Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Henry Owen
Southern governors have renewed their demand for the creation of state police, describing it as an urgent national priority and a non-negotiable component of Nigeria’s long-term security architecture. The position was communicated during a high-level strategy meeting held on Wednesday in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, where rising crime and the limitations of the current centralised policing structure dominated discussions.
The meeting, hosted by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, brought together key regional leaders seeking a unified response to worsening insecurity across the country. Among those in attendance were Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Alex Otti of Abia, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Peter Mbah of Enugu, and Charles Soludo of Anambra. Deputy governors stood in for their counterparts in Osun, Edo, Oyo and Cross River States, giving the session a broad regional representation.
Governor Abiodun, in his opening address, set the tone for the deliberations. He described the current security climate as alarming, noting that the spike in kidnappings, attacks on rural communities, assaults on schools and religious centres, and other organised crimes shows that no part of the country is insulated from danger. He commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, particularly the swift rescue of abducted students, but stressed that such interventions—while commendable—do not replace the need for structural reforms.
According to him, the establishment of state police is no longer a theoretical debate but a practical necessity. He argued that security can only be effective when managed at the community level, where personnel understand local dynamics, terrain, and early warning signs. This, he said, is central to achieving true federalism and ensuring that states are not merely administrative units but active partners in safeguarding lives and property.
Throughout the closed-door session, governors exchanged experiences from their respective states and examined ways to strengthen regional cooperation. They discussed improving intelligence sharing, developing functional early-warning systems, and bolstering the security of schools, farms, markets, transport corridors, and other vulnerable public assets. The role of traditional rulers also came into sharp focus, with leaders highlighting their influence as community stabilisers and vital links between citizens and security agencies.
At the end of deliberations, the Southern Governors Forum issued a unified communiqué emphasising that state police would deepen public trust, enhance rapid response, and make security agencies more accountable to the people they serve. The governors vowed to intensify advocacy at the national level, engage federal lawmakers, and explore joint regional initiatives aimed at curbing crime and promoting peace.
Their renewed push comes at a critical moment, as the country grapples with escalating insecurity and overstretched federal policing structures. Security analysts note that while southern governors have maintained a consistent position on decentralised policing, northern political leaders remain divided, a factor that complicates nationwide consensus on constitutional amendments.
Although the forum did not release a specific timeline for next steps, insiders say consultations with the National Assembly and key federal stakeholders may begin soon. For now, the southern governors’ collective stance signals a growing regional resolve—and a widening national conversation—on the future of policing in Nigeria.
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