Following the deteriorating security crisis in Nigeria, the Southern Governors’ Forum has thrown its weight behind calls for the creation of state police.
The forum, in a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Ogun State on Monday, said the creation of state police would enable “governors to be Chief Security Officers indeed”.
The communique which was signed by Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Governor and chairman of the forum, said the state police would complement the efforts of the local security outfits in some states in the Southern part of the country.
“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.
According to the governor, the forum also discussed the issue of solid mineral exploration and exploitation in the region.
The forum lamented that the activities of illegal miners in the region have attracted insecurity in the areas.
“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.