Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has renewed the call for a joint regional security outfit and the establishment of state police to tackle the escalating security threats across southern Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting of Southern Governors hosted in Ogun State, Abiodun who chaired the session stressed that the region must urgently adopt intelligence-driven strategies, digital surveillance tools, and a unified Safe School Programme to protect vulnerable communities.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for what the governors described as transformative leadership, Abiodun maintained that Nigeria’s current centralised security architecture is no longer sufficient to address today’s challenges.
Reiterating the long-held position of southern leaders, he insisted that state police is a non-negotiable condition for true federalism and effective grassroots security.
“Our region has consistently advocated for a policing system that is closer to the people, more responsive to local realities, and better equipped to address the rapidly evolving threats we face,” he said.
“The recent incidents across the country reinforce the urgency of decentralising policing so that states can take direct responsibility for safeguarding their citizens. A unified Southern position on state police will not only enhance intelligence gathering and early-warning capabilities but also strengthen our ability to secure schools, farmlands, border communities, and critical infrastructure across our states.”
Abiodun also proposed a real-time digital intelligence-sharing platform for the 17 southern states, strengthened community policing systems, corridor surveillance along major highways and rail lines, and the creation of a Regional Rapid Response Fund to handle emergencies.
Beyond security concerns, the governor outlined a broader Southern Nigeria development agenda, highlighting opportunities in digital innovation, agriculture, regional connectivity, and the region’s vast mineral and energy resources. He emphasised the need to leverage the region’s human capital and natural endowments to drive industrialisation and sustainable growth.
