Insecurity: Southern governors, traditional rulers back state police, adopt security measures

Governor Abiodun said the forum reaffirmed its commitment to a united and secure Nigeria.

Southern governors and traditional rulers from the South-west, South-east, and South-south on Wednesday held a joint high-level meeting in Iperu, Ogun State, where they adopted new measures aimed at strengthening security coordination and regional development.

The gathering, hosted by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, brought together political and traditional leaders who reviewed the security situation across the country and discussed collaborative solutions to challenges affecting the southern region.

In a statement posted on his X page, Governor Abiodun said the forum reaffirmed its commitment to a united and secure Nigeria while extending condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the recent security incidents in Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States.

He said the forum agreed on a series of resolutions designed to strengthen regional security, improve intelligence sharing, and deepen collaboration between state governments and traditional authorities.

“Together, we adopted major resolutions, including the creation of a zonal security fund, improved intelligence-sharing systems, sustained advocacy for State Police, a unified resident identification programme, stronger regional security outfits, better land and mining governance, and enhanced support for traditional councils,” the governor said.

The southern governors meeting comes amidst heightened tensions and insecurity in different parts of the country. In recent months, communities in the South-west, South-east, and South-South have faced rising incidents of violent crime, kidnappings, clashes over land disputes, and other security threats.

The forum was seen as a proactive step by southern leaders to coordinate responses, strengthen regional intelligence-sharing, and prevent further escalation of violence.

The governors and traditional rulers also expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s efforts to stabilise the economy, reduce inflation, support security agencies, and drive landmark infrastructure projects.

“We joined the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council in passing a vote of confidence in Mr President and restated our support for a Southern President in line with the Asaba Accord. We reassured all citizens that Southern Nigeria remains united, peaceful, and committed to working collaboratively for the progress and prosperity of our region and the entire country,” the governor stated.

Those in attendance included Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah. The rest are Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as deputy governors representing Osun, Edo, Oyo, and Cross River States.

A number of traditional leaders in the South-west, South-east and South-south attended the forum, including the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade.

Earlier on Monday, governors of the South-west states in a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, declared that the creation of state police can no longer be delayed, adding that the region must adopt new measures to protect its residents.

Part of the resolutions reached by the Southwest Governors’ Forum, (SGF), was the decision to set up a South-West Security Fund to be managed through the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission. The fund will be overseen by security advisers from all six states, who are expected to meet monthly.

To strengthen coordination, the governors approved the creation of a digital intelligence-sharing system that will operate across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states. The platform is expected to enable real-time alerts, data exchange and joint response to threats affecting the zone.

“The Forum reaffirms its support for the establishment of State Police, emphasising that ‘The Time is Now’ and it can no longer be delayed,” the forum stated.