In a crucial meeting held at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu and governors from all 36 states, under the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), reached a consensus on the urgent need to establish state police in order to combat the rising insecurity across the nation.

The gathering, which included Vice President Kashim Shettima and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, focused on devising strategies to enhance the numeric strength and training of forest rangers, aiming to bolster their capabilities in safeguarding the country’s forests and borders.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the directive to security chiefs, including National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Director-General of the Department of State Services Yusuf Magaji Bichi, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, to crack down on those hoarding essential commodities, ensuring that they face legal consequences.

Speaking on the issue, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the importance of a collaborative effort between the federal government and state governors to address this challenge. The leaders agreed that security agencies would work in conjunction with the governors to put an end to hoarding and ensure the availability of food at reasonable prices for Nigerians.

Another crucial topic of discussion was the consideration of establishing state police, with Idris noting that constitutional amendments would be necessary to make this a reality. He highlighted that further meetings would be conducted to fine-tune the modalities for the setup of state police, acknowledging the significance of this shift in security strategy.

The leaders also addressed the current economic difficulties, reassuring the public that these challenges are temporary. Minister Idris stressed the need for continuous investment in agriculture, echoing President Tinubu’s earlier declaration of an agriculture emergency several months ago. The governors pledged their commitment to join forces with the federal government to enhance investments in both crop production and livestock development, ensuring food self-sufficiency and economic growth.

President Tinubu also ruled out the establishment of a commodities price control board, emphasizing the government’s focus on supporting farmers and promoting self-sufficiency rather than resorting to food importation. He urged the state governors to trust the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in managing the country’s monetary policy and emphasized the importance of designated institutions fulfilling their mandates effectively.

In conclusion, the leaders affirmed their commitment to ongoing dialogue, recognizing the need for collective efforts in addressing national issues such as insecurity, food security, and unemployment. The president and governors agreed that regular meetings of this nature would continue to ensure a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.