Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Peter Mbah of Enugu State have pledged to strengthen regional collaboration to tackle security challenges and advocate for state police in Nigeria’s South-East.

The commitment was made following a closed-door meeting at Governor Otti’s residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA, Abia State.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Otti emphasized the need for state police, stating, “I’m completely in sync with my brother’s position. Many states, including ours, support the creation of state police. Security is local, just like politics, and I believe the Federal Government will act on this soon.” The governors underscored the importance of joint efforts to ensure safety across their shared borders, noting that unchecked crime in one state could spill over into the other. “If Enugu drives away criminals and we do nothing here, they’ll end up in Abia. This cooperation is vital,” Otti added.

The governors also voiced support for creating an additional state in the South-East to address regional imbalances. “The South-East has five states, while most geopolitical zones have six, and उत्तर-पश्चिम has seven. I align with the call for one more state in the South-East,” Otti said.

The meeting reflects a growing push for regional unity and proactive measures to enhance security and development in the South-East, with both governors committed to sustained collaboration.