ABIA – Governor Alex Otti has formally declared open a two-day Security Summit for Federal and State Security Administrators, convened to critically examine security challenges across the country and develop actionable strategies to strengthen collective response mechanisms.
Declaring the summit open at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, Governor Otti advocated for the integration of community watch mechanisms to complement ongoing efforts against terrorism, banditry and related crimes.
He stressed that as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, there is an urgent need to constitute an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to guarantee peace, order, and the conduct of free, fair and credible polls nationwide.
The Governor emphasized the importance of synergy among security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political actors and other relevant institutions. He called for decisive measures to curb the activities of hoodlums and political thugs who often disrupt campaigns, intimidate voters and undermine democratic outcomes.
Describing the summit as a strategic convergence, Otti said it was designed to deepen coordination, intelligence sharing and institutional collaboration between federal and state authorities. He advocated strengthened joint planning frameworks, rapid response mechanisms and structured communication channels, alongside the deployment of technology, data integration and measurable performance indicators in modern security administration.
In his address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mr. Mohammed Danjuma, underscored the need for improved coordination and early preparations ahead of the 2027 elections. He recalled that the Federal Government established the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in 2015 to ensure peaceful, free and credible elections.
Sen. Akume noted that hosting the meeting in the South-East reflected the improving security situation in the region, adding that the zone was gradually reclaiming its position as a hub for entrepreneurship, commerce and trade.
Also speaking, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by his Special Adviser on Governance and Sub-National Liaison, Mr. Asishana Okauru, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security architecture through enhanced collaboration with states.
He highlighted ongoing inter-agency cooperation through monthly Joint Intelligence Board meetings and the recently established Forum of National and Sub-National Security Officials (FONSU).
Ribadu disclosed that through FONSU, all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have nominated senior security focal persons to promote intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and the exchange of best practices nationwide.
In an interview, the Co-Chairman of the Forum of State Security Administrators’ Meeting (FSSAM) and Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Borno State, Prof. Usman Tar, explained that the platform, established in the 1990s, brings together security agencies, states, the Federal Capital Territory and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to assess threats to national security and territorial integrity.
The Acting Secretary to Abia State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubaha (Rtd) and other top government officials attended the summit.
