Southern governors insists thst having state police will give them more control over security decisions in their states.
They believe locals are better placed to fight crime because they understand the terrain and language.
The state helmsmen met under the Southern Governors Forum (SGF) in Abeokuta.
They appointed host Governor Dapo Abiodun as chairman. Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, was named Vice Chairman.
Also in attendance were Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Alex Otti (Abia), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
Others are Bassey Otu (Cross River), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom).
Deputy Governors Chinyere Ekomaru (Imo), Monday Onyeme (Delta) and Olayide Adelami (Ondo) represented Hope Uzodimma, Sheriff Oborevwori and Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Rivers State Governor, Similayi Fubara, was absent and was not represented.
Abiodun, who featured on national television last night, said the forum deliberated on state police, the political upheaval in Rivers, infrastructure and agriculture, among others.
He said the 17 Southern governors were united in their call for state police.
Abiodun said: “We all spoke with one voice in support of state policing.
“We spoke with one voice in support of regional security outfits which almost all regions have set up.
“The outfits are working hand in glove with the law enforcement agencies and providing them with intelligence and support.
“We all know that we cannot have any meaningful development in the atmosphere of insecurity.
“We all spoke with one voice in support of state policing, and regional security outfits, working hand-in-glove with the security outfits.”
