Governors of the South-West states on Monday met in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they unveiled sweeping regional security measures, including the creation of a South-West Security Fund, a real-time intelligence-sharing system and renewed advocacy for the establishment of state police.
The emergency session, held at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, was attended by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
The meeting, convened in response to rising security concerns across the region, reviewed ongoing collaborative initiatives under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and explored new measures to strengthen the region’s security architecture, border control and infrastructural integration.
At the end of the deliberations, the governors rolled out 10 far-reaching resolutions aimed at tackling insecurity and improving inter-state coordination.
In the communiqué issued after the meeting, the Forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for “the fight against insecurity, various economic reforms and other developmental agenda.”
They also expressed solidarity with the Federal Government over recent kidnap incidents in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states, praising what they described as the “swift response” that led to the rescue of abducted Kwara worshippers and more than 51 students of St. Mary’s Catholic school in Niger State.
Reading the communiqué, Forum Chairman and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the governors resolved to establish the South-West Security Fund (SWSF), to be managed by the DAWN Commission through the Forum of Special Advisers on Security, which will meet monthly to coordinate interventions.
The governors also approved a digital intelligence-sharing platform that will operate in real time across all six states. According to the communiqué, the system will “exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveller and cargo alerts, and coordinate state-to-state rapid response.”
They commended the NSCDC, hunters’ groups and the Amotekun Corps, urging the Federal Government to bolster security presence within forest belts in the region. The governors further appealed for the deployment of Forest Guards to complement state-level personnel.
“The Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the South West states,” the communiqué said, as the Forum reaffirmed a “collective commitment to reclaiming the forests” from criminal elements.
Raising concerns over “unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose significant challenges,” the governors called for stricter border monitoring, biometric data capture and enhanced synergy with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Reiterating their long-standing position, they renewed the call for state policing, declaring: “The time is now. It can no longer be delayed.”
The governors also applauded the Federal Government’s food sufficiency efforts and commended farmers for improved output and the resulting stability in food prices.
They welcomed the creation of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) and urged the commission to “effectively deliver on its mandate.”
“We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for,” the communiqué stated.
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