By ABIODUN LAWAL

The Southern Governor’s Forum has commended President Bola Tinubu’s prompt response to recent security threats witnessed in some parts of the country.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of the forum stated this in his opening remarks at the regional meeting of governors of southern states of Nigeria, in Iperu on Wednesday.

Abiodun saluted the president for his exceptional leadership in responding to the recent wave of abductions targeting schoolchildren.

The governor explained that the president’s decision to personally coordinate rescue efforts rather than delegating responsibility demonstrated a rare commitment to the protection of every Nigerian life.

He added that the successful rescue of abducted students is evidence of a security strategy that has become more coordinated, intelligence-driven, and responsive.

He stressed that this act of leadership reassures citizens that the safety of children remains a top national priority and that Nigeria will not allow criminals, insurgents, or opportunistic elements to undermine the nation’s stability.

“The president’s swift action reminds us that leadership is measured not only in policy decisions but also in empathy, urgency, and decisive intervention.

“Also, his commitment to national development is further reflected in the unprecedented scale of infrastructure projects currently underway across the country.

“The Lagos–Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway are transformative investments that will reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape, unlock new corridors of trade, and strengthen national integration.

“The president has implemented far-reaching socio-economic reforms that are already yielding visible and measurable dividends and has consistently affirmed that an indivisible and united Nigeria is the foundation of sustainable prosperity,” he said.

According to Abiodun, the meeting goes beyond geographical proximity, rather a union defined by shared aspirations, common challenges, and a collective determination to build a future of stability and prosperity for the people.

He stated that the convergence reflects the same spirit of unity and cooperation that guided the forefathers in the old Southern Protectorate long before the 1914 amalgamation.

He added that the historical consciousness must continue to guide collaborative efforts ” as we navigate the complex realities of our contemporary Nigerian federation.”

“Southern Nigeria now stands at a pivotal moment marked by rising security threats, economic pressures, and the urgent need for coordinated leadership.

“Recent mass abductions in schools, religious centres, and rural communities across the country demonstrates that no region is insulated from organised criminality or violent extremism.

“As we deliberate on the security architecture of southern Nigeria, it is important to state clearly that the creation of state police remains a non-negotiable component of our collective demand for true federalism and effective grassroots security,” he said.

The governor disclosed that a dedicated Regional Rapid Response Fund would be essential for emergency deployments, rescue operations, forensic support, and inter-state training exercises.

He contended that at the state level, measures such as mandatory documentation of foreign nationals, dismantling unlawful enclaves, regulating scavenger activities, intensified forest operations, and a crackdown on illegal mining must be pursued with renewed vigour.

“Community policing remains a critical pillar in strengthening the security architecture of southern Nigeria, as it brings security operations closer to the grassroots where threats are first observed.

“By empowering local communities, traditional rulers, and neighbourhood structures to work collaboratively with formal security agencies, community policing provides early-warning signals, enhances intelligence gathering, and improves trust between citizens and law enforcement.

“The formation of these frameworks enables quicker identification of suspicious movements, better protection of schools, farms, and border towns, and more responsive interventions along critical road corridors,” he said.

Abiodun explained that it was imperative for southern states to strengthen joint security task forces, share intelligence seamlessly, and adopt regional strategies to confront similar threats.

“I am confident that we can confront the challenges before us and chart a new path of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for the entire southern region of Nigeria,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as at the time of filing this report, governors of Ekiti, Enugu, Ondo , Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, Lagos, Bayelsa and Imo states were in attendance.

Governors of Cross Rivers, Edo, Oyo and Osun were represented. (NAN)