In light of Nigeria’s worsening security situation, the Southern Governors’ Forum has endorsed proposals for the establishment of state police.
In a statement released following its Monday meeting in Ogun State, the forum stated that the establishment of state police will allow “governors to be Chief Security Officers indeed.”
The forum chairman and governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, signed the communiqué, which stated that in certain southern states, the state police would supplement local security units’ efforts.
“Southern Governors resolved to continue to advocate for the creation of state police against the success of community-based regional security outfits that have significantly helped intelligence gathering.
“It is believed that this will enable Governors to be Chief Security Officers indeed”, he said.
The governor claims that the topic of solid mineral exploration and utilization in the area was also covered at the meeting.
The conference bemoaned the fact that the region’s unlicensed miners’ operations had increased local insecurity.
“Member Governors expressed concern over current practices where mineral licenses are issued, and exploitations are undertaken without recourse to state governments.
“These continue to be carried out often attracting criminal activities and attendant’s negative environmental impact, ecological degradation with no remediation commitments, and no revenue accruing to both States and the Federal Government”, he added.
