Iperu-Remo, Ogun – In a bold move to fortify community-level defenses amid rising security challenges, the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council have announced increased logistics and equipment support for regional and community security structures, including hunter groups and surveillance units.

This resolution emerged from a high-level joint meeting held today at the Governor’s Residence in Iperu-Remo, marking a significant step toward empowering local forces in tackling insecurity across Southern Nigeria.

The decision underscores a growing recognition of the vital role played by grassroots security outfits in complementing federal efforts.

These groups, often comprising local hunters, vigilantes, and community surveillance teams, have been instrumental in providing on-the-ground intelligence and rapid response in rural and urban areas alike.

By channeling more resources their way, the Forum aims to enhance their operational efficiency, equipping them with modern tools such as communication devices, vehicles, and surveillance technology to better monitor and deter threats like banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes.

"This initiative is about bridging the gap between formal security agencies and the communities they serve," said a source close to the deliberations, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Hunter groups and surveillance units know the terrain better than anyone; bolstering them with logistics will make our security architecture more resilient and responsive.", he added

The resolution forms part of a broader set of security-focused outcomes from the meeting, which brought together governors from the South-West, South-South, and South-East zones alongside prominent traditional rulers.

Attendees emphasized the "indispensable role" of traditional institutions in intelligence gathering and peacebuilding, urging states to integrate rulers into security councils. This push for strengthened local outfits aligns with calls for a Zonal Security Fund, investments in modern intelligence infrastructure, and renewed advocacy for state police, all aimed at fostering real-time coordination and proactive measures across the region.

The Forum's communique highlighted recent security incidents, including the tragic loss of military personnel in Borno and abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States, as catalysts for these reforms. While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration for economic stabilization and infrastructure projects, the leaders stressed that true progress hinges on localized security empowerment.

"Southern Nigeria remains united and committed to peace," the statement read, condemning divisive elements and pledging collaboration with the federal government.

Traditional rulers, who co-chaired the session, welcomed the support, noting that enhanced funding for their councils would enable deeper involvement in regulating land use and curbing illegal mining activities often linked to insecurity. The meeting also endorsed a unified resident identification system in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which could further aid local outfits in verifying and tracking suspicious activities.

As Southern states move to implement these resolutions, experts predict a ripple effect on national security discourse.