In response to escalating insecurity across Nigeria, Southern governors have reinforced their demand for the creation of state police, describing the reform as urgent and “non-negotiable.”
At a recent meeting in Ogun State, the Southern Governors’ Forum, alongside traditional rulers, also approved the establishment of a Zonal Security Fund aimed at enhancing regional security coordination.
The meeting, held at the residence of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun in Iperu, brought together governors from the South-West, South-East, and South-South, as well as key traditional rulers including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze C. I. Ilomuanya, and the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi.
Addressing the forum, the governors reaffirmed their commitment to national unity, regional cooperation, and the protection of lives and property across the Southern states.
They stressed the importance of decentralised policing, noting that community-based and regional security outfits have highlighted the need for state-level police forces.
The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting outlined several measures to strengthen security across the region. These include the creation of a Zonal Security Fund to finance joint operations and capacity-building initiatives, the establishment of a unified intelligence-sharing framework, and monthly coordination meetings among state security advisers.
The governors also emphasized support for local security groups, hunter associations, and community surveillance units through improved logistics and equipment.
“The forum reiterates its long-standing demand for State Police, emphasizing that community-based and regional outfits have proven the need for decentralised policing,” the communiqué stated.
It further called on states to collaborate with traditional rulers and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to regulate land allocation and develop a unified resident identification system to prevent security risks.
The Southern governors also condemned illegal mining and its environmental and security consequences, pledging joint action with environmental agencies and traditional councils to curb the practice.
The forum stressed the role of traditional institutions in intelligence gathering and grassroots security, urging their formal integration into state security councils.
The renewed push for state police comes amid a surge in violent crimes nationwide, including mass abductions, targeted attacks on communities, and rising banditry.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, Nigeria recorded 4,722 abductions and 762 deaths, according to SBM Intelligence. Recent incidents include the abduction of 303 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State and the killing of police officers in Bauchi State.
Experts warn that while the creation of state police could improve responsiveness to security threats, success depends on adequate funding, training, and political will at both federal and state levels. Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo noted that poorly resourced or politically neglected state police units would likely replicate the shortcomings of the existing federal system.
Meanwhile, governors in the South-West, under the Southwest Governors’ Forum, have also taken steps to strengthen regional security.
At a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, the governors approved the creation of a South-West Security Fund, managed through the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission. They also agreed to a digital intelligence-sharing platform for Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states to enable real-time alerts, data exchange, and coordinated responses to threats.
South-West governors praised federal security interventions and recent rescue operations in the North, including the release of abducted students in Kwara and Niger states.
They urged the federal government to deploy more forest guards to prevent criminal groups from using forest reserves as hideouts.
The forum concluded with a call for unity, vigilance, and continued collaboration among states, traditional institutions, and federal authorities to preserve peace and promote sustainable development in Southern Nigeria.
In a related development, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures emphasized the need for a national peace framework to address the country’s growing security challenges, urging cooperation across political, ethnic, and religious divides.
With state police now framed as a central pillar of Southern governors’ security strategy, leaders across the region are signaling that decentralised policing and strengthened regional coordination are critical to safeguarding communities and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.
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