By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Governors of South-West states |
The six governors of Nigeria's South-West have unanimously thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu while issuing a powerful, renewed push for the establishment of state police.
The South-West Governors’ Forum, after a crucial security summit in Ibadan on Monday, declared that the creation of state-level policing structures can no longer be delayed and is essential to complement national efforts in combating kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes.
Reading the communique after the closed-door meeting at the Agodi Governor’s Office, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated that the forum firmly believes state police would "enhance ongoing efforts in tackling insecurity across the country."
The governors' collective endorsement adds significant political weight to the long-debated issue of state police, a key recommendation in the face of widespread security challenges that often overwhelm the federal security apparatus.
While reaffirming their solidarity with President Tinubu's administration, the forum specifically tasked the federal government with leading the broader fight against insecurity and supporting its economic reforms.
Moving beyond rhetoric, the forum unveiled a concrete, multi-pronged regional security strategy to immediately tighten the protection of lives and property. Key decisions include:
Establishing a South-West Security Fund: A dedicated fund will be set up under the DAWN Commission and administered by the Special Advisers on Security from all six states, who will now hold monthly coordination meetings.
Creating a Joint Intelligence Platform: The governors resolved to establish a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform for Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti. This system will facilitate real-time exchange of threat notifications, incident logs, and traveler alerts, enabling rapid cross-state responses.
Securing Forest Belts: The forum issued a direct call to the Federal Government to enhance forest surveillance and deploy forest guards across the vast, ungoverned forest belts in the South-West, which have become notorious hideouts for criminal elements. The state governments pledged to provide the necessary personnel.
The communique also expressed "deep concern" over unregulated interstate migration, calling for stricter border monitoring and collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper data collection and identification.
Illegal mining activities were also flagged as a major threat to environmental safety and regional security. The governors demanded a comprehensive, enforceable licensing framework and stricter enforcement against violators.
The meeting was attended by Governors Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
(NAN)