By Mokobia Rita
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to strengthen security across its 25 local government areas, with plans to construct divisional police headquarters statewide, deepen intelligence gathering, expand community participation and reinforce collaboration among security agencies and stakeholders.
The new direction emerged on Wednesday at the Delta State Security Summit 2026 in Asaba, where security chiefs, traditional rulers, local government officials, civil society groups, youth organisations and business leaders agreed that tackling kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes requires a coordinated, society-wide approach.
The summit, themed “Security: A Collective Responsibility,” served as a platform for stakeholders to review emerging security threats and develop practical measures aimed at safeguarding lives, property and investments across the state.
Addressing participants, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori stressed that security remains the foundation of sustainable development, noting that no society can achieve meaningful economic growth or social progress in an atmosphere of fear and instability.
He said while government and security agencies have constitutional responsibility for maintaining law and order, lasting peace can only be achieved through active collaboration among communities, traditional institutions, religious bodies, businesses and citizens.
A major highlight of the summit was the announcement that the State Executive Council had approved the construction of divisional police headquarters in all 25 local government areas, a move aimed at strengthening grassroots security and positioning the state for the eventual implementation of state policing.
The governor also disclosed that the recently restructured Operation Delta Sweep had recorded notable successes in tackling criminal activities across different parts of the state through improved coordination among security agencies.
He further highlighted the establishment of the Delta State Security Trust Fund as a sustainable framework for mobilising private-sector support and enhancing the operational capacity of security agencies.
According to him, additional operational vehicles and modern security equipment would be procured to improve response capabilities, while training and retraining programmes for security personnel would be intensified.
Participants at the summit repeatedly underscored the importance of intelligence gathering and information sharing, identifying community cooperation as a critical factor in combating criminality.
Governor Oborevwori urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, warning that criminals often thrive where communities remain silent.
“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.
The governor also used the occasion to reaffirm Delta State’s opposition to terrorism and violent extremism, pledging continued support for efforts aimed at ensuring peace and security across the country.
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, explained that the summit was convened in response to emerging security concerns and the need to engage stakeholders in developing practical solutions to contemporary security challenges.
He said the gathering was designed to produce actionable recommendations capable of strengthening peace, stability and public safety throughout the state.
In separate goodwill messages, military leaders commended the state government’s support for security operations and described collaboration among government, communities and security agencies as a major factor in the reduction of violent crimes in the state.
The Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet; Commander of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brigadier General Folu Shonibare; and Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Commodore Shehu Tasiu, all praised ongoing efforts to sustain peace and security.
Brigadier General Shonibare particularly noted that strategic engagement and timely intervention by the state government helped prevent tensions arising from the Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation exercise from escalating into violence.
Delivering the summit lecture, Delta State Commissioner of Police, John Oyeniyi, advocated a whole-of-society approach to tackling security threats, identifying kidnapping, cybercrime, cultism, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, drug trafficking and communal conflicts as major concerns requiring collective action.
He maintained that effective security can only be achieved through strong partnerships among government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious organisations, the private sector and citizens.
As deliberations ended, stakeholders renewed their commitment to strengthening intelligence sharing, improving collaboration and encouraging greater community participation in security efforts, with a common resolve to build a safer and more secure Delta State.
