Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has convened a broad-based security summit in Asaba, rallying stakeholders across the state to strengthen collaboration in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
The governor, who delivered the keynote address on Wednesday June 17, 2026, at the Delta State Security Summit held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, emphasized that sustainable security can only be achieved through collective action involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society groups and citizens.
The summit, themed “Security: A Collective Responsibility,” attracted heads of security agencies, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, youth and women groups, community leaders, civil society organizations and members of the business community.
Addressing participants, Governor Oborevwori described security as the bedrock of development and prosperity, stressing that no society can attain meaningful growth in an atmosphere of fear and instability.
“Security remains the foundation of every prosperous society. Without peace and stability, economic growth slows, investments decline and communities struggle to thrive.
“This is why the protection of lives and property remains one of the most important responsibilities of government,” the governor said.
While acknowledging the constitutional role of government and security agencies in maintaining law and order, Oborevwori noted that lasting peace requires the active involvement of all segments of society.
According to him, traditional institutions, religious bodies, businesses, civil society groups and ordinary citizens all have critical roles to play in building safer communities.
The governor highlighted several measures undertaken by his administration to strengthen the state’s security architecture, including enhanced collaboration with security agencies, increased investment in logistics and support for security operations.
He disclosed that the state government had restructured and strengthened Operation Delta Sweep, the state’s joint security outfit, resulting in notable successes in crime prevention and law enforcement across the state.
Oborevwori further revealed that the State Executive Council had approved the construction of divisional police headquarters in all 25 local government areas as part of preparations for the anticipated establishment of state police.
He also cited the establishment of the Delta State Security Trust Fund as a strategic platform designed to foster sustainable collaboration between the government and the private sector in supporting security initiatives.
The governor assured residents that additional operational vehicles and security equipment would soon be procured, while ongoing training and retraining programmes would further enhance the effectiveness of security personnel.
Calling for stronger community participation in security efforts, Oborevwori stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and timely information sharing.
“If you don’t share information, security agencies are not magicians. They operate based on intelligence and credible information. Criminals thrive when communities remain silent and stakeholders work in isolation,” he said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, maintaining that trust, cooperation and effective communication are essential to any successful security framework.
The governor also condemned acts of terrorism across the country, reaffirming Delta State’s commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at ensuring peace and security.
“Delta State condemns every act of terrorism recorded in any part of our country. We will continue to unite against terror until our nation is fully safe and secure for all citizens,” he stated.
Oborevwori expressed confidence that the summit would generate practical recommendations capable of deepening collaboration among stakeholders, improving intelligence gathering and enhancing community participation in security management.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, said the summit was convened in response to emerging security concerns across the country and the need for proactive engagement with critical stakeholders.
He explained that the forum was designed to identify prevailing security challenges and develop practical solutions that would strengthen peace and stability across Delta State.
In separate goodwill messages, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet; Commander, 63 Brigade Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brigadier General Folu Shonibare; and Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Commodore Shehu Tasiu, commended Governor Oborevwori for his sustained support for security agencies and commitment to peacebuilding.
Brigadier General Shonibare particularly praised the governor’s intervention during tensions surrounding the Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation exercise, noting that his engagement with stakeholders helped avert a potential crisis.
“Governor Oborevwori has demonstrated uncommon commitment to security. His intervention and engagement with stakeholders helped prevent unnecessary bloodshed and contributed significantly to the peace we currently enjoy,” he said.
The military commander also noted a significant reduction in incidents of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state, attributing the improvement to enhanced cooperation among government, communities and security agencies.
Delivering a lecture on the summit’s theme, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP John Oyeniyi, underscored the need for a whole-of-society approach to addressing modern security challenges.
He identified kidnapping, cybercrime, cultism, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, drug trafficking and communal conflicts as some of the major threats confronting the nation.
According to the police commissioner, effective security management depends on strong partnerships among government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the private sector and citizens.
The summit concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to working together to safeguard lives and property while sustaining Delta State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful and investment-friendly destinations.
