South-West governors meet in Ibadan to adopt new security measures, including a regional fund and real-time intelligence-sharing system.
South-West governors have renewed their call for the creation of state police, citing escalating insecurity, kidnapping and criminal infiltration across the region.
The decision was announced on Monday after a closed-door meeting of the South-West Governors’ Forum at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
Present at the meeting were the Forum Chairman and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and host, Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
Governors Establish Regional Security Fund to Strengthen Joint Response
In a communique read by Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Forum announced the creation of a South-West Regional Security Fund.
The initiative will be managed by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, with oversight from security advisers across the six states.
The fund will support:
- Joint security operations
- Coordinated intelligence sharing
- Rapid response deployment
- Expanded surveillance and threat monitoring
The governors said the move aligns with their pursuit of an integrated and sustainable regional security framework.
Digital Intelligence Platform to Enable Real-Time Threat Sharing
As part of efforts to enhance cross-border security cooperation, the governors approved the establishment of a live digital intelligence-sharing platform.
The system will allow security agencies across all South-West states to exchange:
- Real-time threat alerts
- Incident reports
- Inter-state crime communication
This, they said, will improve speed, accuracy and coordination in responding to regional criminal activities.
Tackling Illegal Mining, Migration and Forest Security
The Forum also raised concerns over:
Illegal Mining
Governors called for a stricter licensing regime and tougher enforcement to address environmental damage and criminal financing linked to illegal mining syndicates.
Unregulated Interstate Migration
They urged improved border monitoring and collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure proper registration of migrants and prevent criminal infiltration.
Forest Security
The governors appealed to the Federal Government to support the deployment of Forest Guards to reclaim forest zones currently exploited by kidnappers and armed criminal networks.
Meeting Held Amid Mounting Attacks Nationwide
The Forum’s resolutions follow a spike in attacks across the country. Recent incidents include:
- Abduction of over 300 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State.
- Kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls and the killing of a vice principal in GGCSS Maga, Kebbi State.
- Abduction of worshippers and killing of three people in a Kwara church.
- Killing of five police officers in Bauchi and abduction of 12 female farmers in Borno State.
With insecurity deepening across states, the governors stressed that regional and national authorities must intensify efforts to protect citizens and restore confidence in public safety systems.
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