SGF tells security agencies they must inform governors before carrying out major operations in their states

NIGERIAN security operatives have been issued with a directive by the Southern Governors Forum (SGF) to always inform their members before embarking on any major operation in their states as part of a new security arrangement.

Yesterday, the SGF met in Lagos after which the governors of the 17 states of southern Nigeria issued a communique, calling on the police, military and Department of State Security (DSS) to carry them along with all future operations. This became necessary after the DSS raided the home of a Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Igboho in Ibadan, on Thursday, killing two persons in the process.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, said: “At the Southern Governors Forum today, we discussed several issues of national importance including reemphasising the need for state police. We resolved that if security agencies are to carry out an operation in a state, they must duly inform the state’s sitting governor.

“We agreed that all southern Nigeria states should have anti-open grazing laws in place by September 1, 2021. We also resolved that deductions from the federation account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be shared between the states and federal government to fight insecurity.”

On the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill, the governors rejected the proposed 3% share of the oil revenue to host communities, opting for 5%. They also rejected the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins.

In addition, the SGF rejected the removal of the electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act and also objected to the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court. Then the SGF unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the governor of Lagos State for hosting of this meeting and also commended him for his good work in the state.