𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐎𝐠𝐮𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐯

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday insisted that the creation of state police had become unavoidable in addressing the rising wave of insecurity across the country.

Speaking after a meeting of southern governors held in Abeokuta, Abiodun said the forum reached a unanimous position that policing must be decentralised to allow states respond swiftly to local security threats.
He noted that the present structure had overstretched federal security agencies, leaving communities vulnerable to kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements.

Abiodun explained that state police would not replace existing security formations but strengthen them, adding that the initiative would operate within a clear legal framework to prevent abuse.
According to him, several states already invest heavily in security through equipment procurement and support for federal agencies, yet lack the authority to enforce meaningful control.

The governor stressed that the forum would engage the National Assembly and the Presidency to fast-track constitutional amendments required for implementation.
He added that southern states would also begin joint training and intelligence-sharing arrangements ahead of the final approval for state policing.

Abiodun assured residents that the push was driven purely by the need to protect lives and property, saying governors could no longer watch citizens suffer avoidable attacks.
He, however, called for national consensus, urging political leaders and stakeholders to prioritise security over partisan interests.

The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting reaffirmed earlier resolutions on regional cooperation, economic integration and improved border surveillance, while also appealing to the Federal Government to expedite necessary reforms.