Summary
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has intensified the longstanding demand for a unified regional security structure and the establishment of state police, restating that current security systems can no longer meet the scale of threats facing the southern part of Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday while hosting a meeting of southern governors in the state, Abiodun, who presided over the session, highlighted the deepening security concerns across the region and stressed the need for stronger intelligence-driven operations, digital surveillance mechanisms, and a coordinated Safe School Programme that works across all southern states.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu for what the governors described as impactful leadership, saying the region remains committed to supporting national reforms while insisting that certain issues, especially security, require structural changes.
According to the governor, the demand for state police is no longer a matter of preference but a crucial component of true federalism and effective local protection. He maintained that centrally controlled policing frameworks are overstretched and unable to respond swiftly to fast-evolving threats.
Abiodun explained that decentralised security would enable states to design strategies that reflect their unique challenges, deal with threats more efficiently, and enhance the ability to protect citizens and critical assets.
“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.
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,” he said.
Abiodun further proposed the creation of a real-time digital intelligence-sharing network covering all 17 southern states, improved community-based policing models, expanded surveillance along major highways and railway corridors, and the establishment of a Regional Rapid Response Fund for urgent security situations.
Beyond security matters, the Ogun governor spoke on a coordinated development vision for southern Nigeria, outlining sectors where the region can significantly accelerate growth. He pointed to digital technology, agriculture, regional infrastructure links, as well as vast mineral and energy reserves as pivotal opportunities.
Abiodun stressed that the south must take advantage of its skilled population and rich natural resources to drive long-term industrialisation and economic advancement.
What You Should Know
This article highlights the renewed push by southern governors, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, for a regional security framework and the establishment of state police to tackle worsening security challenges.
It outlines proposals for intelligence sharing, digital surveillance, community policing, and a rapid-response structure, while also emphasizing a broader development agenda aimed at boosting innovation, agriculture, infrastructure, and industrial growth across southern Nigeria.
