36 governors back State Police as Afenifere laments worsening insecurity

Governors of the 36 states in the country have backed the establishment of state police and constitution amendment, but stressed that any new policing structure must be backed by clear constitutional provisions and must protect citizens’ rights.

The governors made their position known after the second meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum held in Abuja, which stretched from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday.

The meeting focused on major national issues, including security, electricity reform, and nutrition. However, discussions around state policing dominated deliberations as insecurity continues to remain a pressing concern across many parts of the country.

In a communiqué signed by NGF Chairman and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors disclosed that they reviewed fresh progress made toward creating a workable state police system.

According to the forum, members received detailed presentations from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of state Attorneys-General on the ongoing efforts to support the establishment of state police across Nigeria.

The governors said the discussions also involved consultations aimed at reviewing proposed constitutional amendments and operational frameworks that would guide implementation.

Speaking after the meeting, Dapo Abiodun said governors agreed that state policing remains an important step in addressing security challenges, but insisted that the structure must be carefully designed.

Abiodun said, “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country.

Following extensive deliberations, the Forum resolved as follows: The Forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of the Honourable Attorneys-General of the States on efforts to support establishing State Police in Nigeria. It noted a dedicated consultation with the attorneys-general to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.

“Governors emphasised the need for the State Police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights. The Forum noted the collaborative effort and added that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the states’ collective position.”

The renewed push for state police comes months after governors collectively endorsed the development of a framework to support the initiative.

That framework outlines major requirements needed for implementation. These include funding models, governance systems, oversight structures, personnel development, and digital infrastructure required to ensure accountability and efficiency.

Beyond security, the governors also discussed reforms in Nigeria’s power sector.

The forum reiterated support for ongoing electricity reforms and pledged stronger collaboration to improve power supply nationwide.

Governors also reviewed a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid Initiative, a major proposal aimed at expanding electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar generation linked to a national transmission network.

According to the forum, the initiative could significantly improve energy security, deepen industrial growth, strengthen state electricity markets, and support economic expansion.

The governors further pledged support for the National Nutrition 774 Initiative as part of efforts to tackle malnutrition, especially among children.

They also acknowledged ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged further engagement with stakeholders to strengthen legal and policy frameworks for nutrition governance in the country.

Meanwhile, Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has lamented that the rate at which royal fathers and others  are being abducted or killed in Yorubaland is very embarrassing as much as it is disturbing.

In a press statement issued by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, noted that Obas who used to be the symbol of authority and power are being so plucked like lame ducks, saying such is sending a message which seems to be a mockery of existence.

Afenifere noted that  the disclosure by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde that abductors of school children and their teachers in Oriire local government of the state are hiding in a forest covering 10 local government areas has deepened concern for the state of insecurity in the heartland of Yorubaland in Nigeria.

He added the abductions of school children in Oyo and Borno States over a month ago put a serious slur on what would have been a joyous celebration of the 27th uninterrupted civil rule in Nigeria.

“Besides the unfortunate abductions of school children that took place on May 15, 2026 and other abductions that had occurred in different parts of Nigeria since then, the monarch of Odo-Oriya, Oba Adeniyi Adelana in Owo local government area of Ondo State was, on Sunday night, abducted right in his palace while his wife was shot at.

“In a similar gory situation, bandits also struck in Igbeti-Igboho-Kisi area of Oyo State over the weekend killing at least two people. The area in question had been considered as an impregnable fortress for bandits as the local people, working in concert, have repeatedly warded off the attempts by bandits to overrun their communities.

“Only on Tuesday night, a family was attacked in its home at Igbope, Oorelope local government area of Oyo State. The family’s head, Mr. Ismail Aderoju popularly known as Al-Iklas, escaped being abducted but with a gunshot. Unfortunately, his wife, Kuburah, his two year-old child and three of his workers were abducted.” Ajayi stated.

He added that the rate at which royal fathers are being abducted or killed in Yorubaland is very embarrassing as much as it is disturbing.

“It is embarrassing because our Obas who used to be the symbol of authority and power are being so plucked like lame ducks. Disturbing because the message such is sending seems to be a mockery of our very existence – it is as though the bandits are saying that ‘if we can so easily remove your leaders, what difficulty would we have to grab anyone of you that we set our hands upon?”

Ajayi who submitted that since January 2024 when bandits ambushed the convoy of three monarchs returning from a security meeting and killed two of them, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olushola (Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti) and Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin (Elesun of Esun-Ekiti) and the invasion of Olukoro of Koro palace where they killed Oba Segun Aremu the following month, one has almost lost count of traditional rulers who have either being killed or were abducted by bandits. So serious is the situation that over 30 rulers in Kwara state have abandoned their palaces.

“The humiliation is not confined to traditional rulers. Top army brass have fallen victims. Among such were the former army spokesman, retired General Rabe Abubakar who was abducted along with his wife. The General died in his captors’ den while his wife was shot at when soldiers bombarded the bandits to rescue her after the burial of her husband.  The General’s death in terrorists’ den is a sad commentary of our security situation as was the audacity of bandits to even operate in broad daylight in cities as exemplified by the abduction of Mrs Olaide John-Paul and her twin sons in Ibadan penultimate week. The lady is a younger sister of the immediate past Minister of Power in Nigeria, Chief Adebayo Adegoke.

Reiterating the latest submission of the former Chief of Army Staff, General Buratai (rtd), Afenifere spokesman warned that everything must be done to stop bandits from taking over Nigeria. Buratai had said that going by the latest derring-do of terrorists, they may get to the level of abducting governors and legislators.

“When the situation degenerated to that level, what remains for the country? It would mean that bandits are taking over, God forbid. But for God to forbid, we, through our governments and security agencies, must re-strategize and be firmer in our approach to the issue.”