Amid rising insecurity across Nigeria, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has issued a strong call for immediate federal intervention, including the deployment of more security personnel and the implementation of technology-based solutions to curb the nationwide surge in killings and violent attacks.
This demand was part of a communiqué released after a crucial meeting of the governors held in Abuja on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The Governors forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressed grave concern over the worsening state of security and stressed the need for a multi-layered response involving federal, state, and local actors.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who read the communiqué on behalf of the Forum, revealed that a subcommittee had been established to collaborate with heads of security agencies and devise an immediate, actionable strategy to stem the tide of violence.
The urgency of this move follows a string of recent killings, including the March 9 attack by suspected herders in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, that left at least 15 people dead. More recently, on April 14, a brutal raid on Zike hamlet in Bassa LGA, Plateau State, claimed 52 lives—including an entire family—and destroyed several homes and farmlands.
In response to these horrors, the Forum welcomed a new national security initiative presented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. The initiative proposes phased deployment of surveillance technologies, crisis response infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration across federal and subnational levels.
“Governors expressed strong support for leveraging technology to counter security threats, especially with the scale and coordination of attacks now being witnessed in rural communities,” Uzodimma stated.
In a related development, the Forum also received a proposal from the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, advocating land registration reform under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The reform aims to formalize land ownership, enhance tenure security, and boost state-level revenue generation.
Furthering its infrastructure agenda, the Forum reviewed a strategic partnership proposal from Powercom Smart Grid Nigeria Ltd. (PSGN). The deal would allow PSGN to take over operations in selected electricity distribution zones, introduce smart grid technology, and establish a local metering plant to bolster service delivery and create jobs.
However, security remained the dominant theme. Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, speaking after the meeting, emphasized the need for constitutional amendments to enable state policing—a move he said would drastically improve local response to crime.
“In a country of over 230 million people, we have fewer than 400,000 police officers and less than 300,000 soldiers,” Sani noted. “There are vast ungoverned spaces across Nigeria. To address this, we must strengthen local intelligence, invest in non-kinetic solutions, and seriously consider state police.”
Sani also rejected the notion that governors were solely responsible for security failures, asserting that many were making significant progress within constitutional constraints. He cited Kaduna as an example, where incidents of religious and communal violence had notably declined since he assumed office.
As the governors push for structural and operational changes, there is mounting pressure on the federal government and security agencies to act swiftly and decisively. The consensus among state leaders is clear: without improved coordination, more personnel, and a tech-driven strategy, Nigeria’s insecurity crisis will only deepen.