ABEOKUTA – The Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council have emphasized the need for urgent action to address equipment deficits, manpower gaps, and intelligence coordination in the country’s security architecture.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a joint meeting of Southern Governors Forum and Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council held on Wednesday in Iperu, Ogun State.
The forum identified key areas for improvement, including the need for modern communication equipment, surveillance technologies, and real-time monitoring capabilities to enhance security operations.
The meeting, attended by security chiefs from the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and NSCDC, resolved to establish a Zonal Security Fund, supported by monthly security coordination meetings, to address these gaps.
“We must work together to safeguard lives and property,” said the forum.
“The success of community-based and regional security outfits underscores the urgent need for decentralized policing.”
The forum reiterated its call for state policing, emphasizing that it is a constitutional imperative.
The forum equally called for enhanced intelligence-sharing framework and unified state resident identification system.
It calls for support for regional security structures, including hunter associations and community-based surveillance units, championing for institutional strengthening of traditional councils and governance of land and mining activities to prevent security risks.
The forum expressed unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, passing a vote of confidence in his leadership and commitment to national stability and reform.
The meeting also addressed attempts to sow discord and propagate disinformation, reassuring citizens that Southern Nigeria remains united and committed to peaceful coexistence.
The forum pledged to continue speaking with one voice, advancing the collective interests of the South, and working collaboratively with the federal government to promote peace, prosperity, and progress for all Nigerians.
