Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday restated that the establishment of state police has become unavoidable in the effort to address rising insecurity across the country.
He gave this position while hosting governors from the southern region at his Iperu Remo country home in Ikenne Local Government Area.
Abiodun said the recent coordinated attacks on schoolchildren, worshippers and rural communities show that no state can claim immunity from the threats of banditry and kidnapping.
He commended Tinubu for what he described as exceptional leadership in the rescue operations carried out in parts of the North in recent days.
He told his colleagues, “As we deliberate on the security architecture of Southern Nigeria, it is important to state clearly that the creation of state police remains a non negotiable component of our collective demand for true federalism and effective grassroots security.”
The governor explained that devolving policing powers to the states will improve intelligence gathering and help protect schools, farmlands, border areas and key public infrastructure.
He added, “The recent incidents across the country reinforce the urgency of decentralising policing so that states can take direct responsibility for safeguarding their citizens.”
Abiodun noted that the forum will also meet with traditional rulers whom he described as the closest authority to the grassroots.
He said their involvement will strengthen community based security and promote unity in the region.
According to him, “By working hand in hand with traditional institutions, security agencies and the communities they guide, we can reinforce a collective identity that transcends geography and politics.”
He warned that the pace at which insecurity spreads shows that geography alone is no longer a safety assurance, especially in a region with seaports, major highways and industrial corridors.
He added that the meeting provides an opportunity for the South to present a united position on national security reforms.
Abiodun said, “The forum must reiterate and reaffirm its support for the establishment of state police as we have all submitted our individual positions on this subject.”
The meeting came amid public outrage over renewed mass abductions in parts of the North, including the attack on St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State where over 300 pupils and several teachers were taken.
Days earlier, 26 schoolgirls were seized in Kebbi State where the vice principal was killed and the principal was injured. A separate attack on a church vigil in Eruku, Kwara State, left at least three worshippers dead and dozens abducted.
Tinubu announced on Sunday that all 38 abducted Kwara worshippers had been rescued, while 51 of the Niger pupils had regained their freedom.
