Governors from across Nigeria are currently engaged in an emergency meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja, primarily addressing growing national security concerns. The high-level gathering, held at the Forum’s secretariat, includes numerous state governors and deputy governors from all 36 states of the federation. While the official agenda remained undisclosed, the presence of key figures such as the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, strongly underscores that pressing security issues form the core of the discussions. This emergency session comes amidst a period of heightened insecurity across various parts of the country, prompting increased calls for coordinated action from both federal and state authorities.

The meeting, led by the Forum Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, is reportedly taking briefings from the National Security Adviser and the Defence Minister. Among the governors already in attendance are those from Anambra, Akwa-Ibom, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Plateau, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Kogi, Ondo, Imo, Cross-River, Ogun, and Edo. It is widely understood that the deliberations are intricately linked to the escalating insecurity, particularly the recent devastating killings in the Yelewata community in Benue State, which saw over 100 people brutally murdered.

In response to the pervasive security challenges, President Bola Tinubu recently visited Benue State, where he held a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi. During this meeting, President Tinubu directly instructed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, to immediately apprehend the killer herders responsible for the heinous acts in Yelewata. He also urged the heads of the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The President’s meeting in Benue included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Traditional Rulers, and former Governors of the state, signaling a broad-based commitment to addressing the crisis.

Concurrently, the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has thrown its support behind President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to tackle the nation’s security challenges. The PGF, following a three-hour closed-door meeting, also encouraged state governors to enhance security within their respective states through community policing initiatives. Hope Uzodimma, the chairman of the PGF and Governor of Imo State, informed journalists that the governors are seriously considering the establishment of state police. This proposal aligns with the suggestion put forth by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, who during President Tinubu’s visit, reiterated his firm support for state police as a sustainable solution to persistent insecurity. Governor Alia emphasized that while concerns exist regarding its implementation, the federal government could mitigate these by establishing clear state-specific guidelines and regulatory frameworks to prevent potential misuse. Governor Uzodimma affirmed the forum’s continued commitment to supporting President Tinubu in his endeavors to overcome the security issues plaguing the nation.