NGF raises panel to tackle killings, proposes massive security personnel recruitment

The National Economic Council on Thursday deferred talks on state police until its next meeting, amidst the violent attacks and bloodshed in parts of the country.

Bayelsa Governor, Duoye Diri, told State House Correspondents after the council’s 149th meeting at the Aso Rock Villa that the issue was on the agenda, but it could not be discussed in detail as it was still far down on the list.

“State police was part of our agenda today, but unfortunately, because of time demands, and after a very long meeting, we have been there for a very long time now, the presentations could not get to that point. So, I assure you that in our next meeting, that issue will be exhaustively discussed,” the governor explained after the nearly four-hour meeting. 

Although the governor did not specify when the next council meeting will be, NEC meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month.

However, the gathering has been infrequent in the last couple of months. Since its meeting in December, the council has not discussed the much-anticipated reform.

Although all 36 states had submitted reports supporting a decentralised police force,  the NEC deferred discussions until January 2025. The council only sat in February where it said the matter was not discussed.

During the meeting, the governors observed a minute of silence to honour those killed in the recent wave of attacks in Plateau, Benue, Borno and Enugu States.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum has emphasised the need for increased recruitment into security agencies and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to tackle killings at the state level.

The forum, led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, made this known in a communiqué read by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma following their meeting early Thursday morning in Abuja.

He stated that, as an immediate step to address the surge in killings in parts of the country, the Governors have set up a committee to collaborate with security agency heads on a joint strategy.

Since the reported killing of at least 15 people on March 9 in a series of renewed attacks by suspected herdsmen in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, more lives have been lost in a wave of attacks on various communities.

On April 14, an attack on Zike hamlet, Kimakpa community, within the Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, resulted in the deaths of at least 52 individuals, including a family of eight, with many properties torched.

In response, the 36 state governors called for swift action and urged security agencies to confront the security challenges directly.

The Imo governor said, “The forum received a presentation from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on an innovative security initiative aimed at strengthening national and subnational capacity for early threat detection and coordinated response.

“The project envisions the phased deployment of advanced technology and infrastructure to improve surveillance, crisis management, and public safety. Governors expressed support for the initiative’s objectives and underscored the importance of technology-driven solutions in addressing evolving security challenges at the state level.

“The forum set up a sub-committee of the Nigeria Governors Forum to work with heads of security agencies on a collaborative approach for immediate solutions.’’

He further stated, “The forum received a presentation from the Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, on unlocking the economic potential of land through a federal-state partnership for land reform.

“The minister outlined ongoing housing initiatives under the Renewed Hope Programme and proposed a comprehensive land registration reform to formalise land ownership, enhance tenure security, and boost internally generated revenue across states.

“Governors welcomed the ownership, enhanced tenure security, which would boost internally generated revenue across states. Governors welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to catalyse investment, improve urban planning, and enhance land-based revenue generation.”

Uzodimma also said the forum received a presentation on a proposed strategic partnership with Powercom Smart Grid Nigeria Limited. 

The initiative, he said, is intended to revamp the electricity distribution sector by leveraging private sector investment.

“Under the proposed agreement, PSGN will assume operational control of select distribution companies, introduce advanced smart grid technologies, and establish a meter production facility to enhance service delivery and energy access across states.

“The forum noted that the partnership seeks to improve electricity distribution efficiency, support job creation through local manufacturing, and relieve states of legacy sector liabilities. Governors received the proposal and would examine the opportunities and benefits therein,” he explained.

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, emphasised the importance of state policing in Nigeria.

In an interview with journalists, Sani stated that the killings should not be seen as an indictment of the governors, noting that they have a limited role to play in addressing the issue.

He stated, “In my opinion, it’s not an indictment. I do agree that we have a limited role to play concerning the Constitution of Nigeria. Don’t forget that even tomorrow, by the grace of God, it’s one of the areas we are going to look at – the possibility of the creation of state policing in Nigeria, which for me would go a long way in addressing insecurity, particularly at the sub-national level.

“But of course, as governors, we must take responsibility. Take, for example, what is happening in Kaduna. When I came in, I inherited a system where we had a series of communal and religious clashes. But I can tell you, in almost 20 months since I took over, we have not had a single religious or communal clash.

“So, for me, I believe as a leader, you have to lead by example by making sure that you carry everyone along. You make sure that you handle the problem of insecurity and ethnic merchants. They’re everywhere. Some people can only benefit if there’s political, religious, or ethnic conflict.’’

He challenged the security agencies to step up the fight against criminality, arguing that more boots are needed on the ground to rout the attackers.

“But of course, in my last interview, I already declared that we do not have enough boots on the ground. So, no matter how we try to address the issue, we have to look at other aspects, particularly looking at a non-kinetic approach. Because when you look at the security agencies in Nigeria, look at the military—like I said, we have less than 300,000 soldiers, the entire police personnel in Nigeria is less than 400,000 in a country of about 230 million.

“So, there are a lot of ungoverned spaces in Nigeria—whether in the North, in the South, everywhere. So we have to look at other areas of addressing the issue of insecurity. That is the reason why I believe we all have to work together. We don’t need to blame each other,” he submitted.