Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents in tackling terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.
The governor made the call on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the Delta State Security Summit 2026, held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba. The summit, themed “Security: A Collective Responsibility,” brought together key stakeholders to chart a common path towards strengthening peace and public safety.
Addressing participants, Governor Oborevwori described security as the bedrock of sustainable development, stressing that no society can achieve meaningful progress in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
He noted that while maintaining law and order is primarily the responsibility of government and security agencies, lasting peace can only be achieved through the active involvement of all segments of society.
“The theme of this summit reminds us that security is everyone’s responsibility. Traditional institutions, religious organisations, businesses, civil society groups and every citizen have important roles to play in building a peaceful and secure Delta State,” he said.
The governor highlighted several measures taken by his administration to strengthen the state’s security architecture, including the restructuring of Operation Delta Sweep, the state’s joint security outfit, which he said has recorded significant successes in combating crime.
He also disclosed 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.
Governor Oborevwori further pointed to the creation of the Delta State Security Trust Fund as a platform for sustained collaboration between government and the private sector in supporting security operations.
According to him, the government is also procuring additional operational vehicles and security equipment while intensifying the training and retraining of security personnel to enhance operational effectiveness.
The governor urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information, emphasizing that intelligence remains the foundation of effective crime prevention.
“If you don’t share information, security agencies are not magicians. They depend on intelligence to act. Criminals thrive when communities remain silent. If you see something, say something,” he said.
He reaffirmed Delta State’s opposition to terrorism and pledged the state’s continued support for efforts aimed at eliminating insecurity across Nigeria.
Governor Oborevwori expressed confidence that the summit would produce practical recommendations to improve intelligence gathering, deepen stakeholder collaboration and promote greater community participation in security matters.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, said the summit was convened in response to emerging security challenges across the country and the need for proactive engagement with critical stakeholders to develop lasting solutions.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet; Commander of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brigadier General Folu Shonibare; and Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Commodore Shehu Tasiu. They commended Governor Oborevwori for his consistent support for security agencies and his commitment to preserving peace in the state.
Brigadier General Shonibare particularly praised the governor’s intervention during the tensions surrounding the Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation exercise, noting that his timely engagement helped prevent violence.
He also observed that incidents of kidnapping and other violent crimes had reduced significantly due to improved cooperation between government, communities and security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, John Oyeniyi, who delivered the summit lecture, identified kidnapping, cybercrime, cultism, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, drug trafficking and communal conflicts as major security threats facing the country.
He stressed that addressing these challenges requires a whole-of-society approach involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, the private sector and citizens.
The summit concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to working together to protect lives and property while sustaining Delta State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful and investment-friendly states.
