By John Dike, Osogbo
The lawmaker representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has called on governors in the Southwest region to convene an emergency security meeting aimed at addressing rising security threats and preventing the spread of banditry across the region.
Salam made the call in reaction to last Friday’s attack on schools in the Aholo-Esinele community of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident which has generated widespread concern over growing insecurity in parts of the Southwest.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, the federal lawmaker urged the governors of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states to immediately visit the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to sympathise with him and residents of the affected communities over the attack.
The lawmaker stressed the need for urgent regional collaboration among Southwest governors to strengthen security architecture and prevent criminal elements from extending their operations into other parts of the region.
According to Salam, the attack in Oyo State should serve as a wake-up call for leaders in the Southwest to adopt proactive and coordinated security measures capable of confronting the growing threat posed by bandits and other criminal groups.
He warned that failure to act swiftly could expose more communities within the region to violent attacks, kidnappings and other security challenges currently affecting several parts of the country.
“Governors in the South West, please visit Seyi Makinde in Oyo State and identify with him,” Salam wrote.
“Hold strategic security meetings, not just about Oyo State but about how to secure this part of the country from this evil rampage. Take the war to them before they bring it closer.”
The federal lawmaker noted that security must remain a collective responsibility among state governments, security agencies, community leaders and residents, adding that no state in the region should treat the threat as a distant problem.
Salam’s call comes amid growing concerns over incidents of kidnappings, attacks on schools, and criminal activities in parts of Southwest Nigeria, with many stakeholders calling for stronger intelligence gathering, improved inter-state collaboration, and increased support for local security initiatives.
Observers say the attack on schools in Oyo State has heightened fears among parents, residents, and education stakeholders, particularly because schools and rural communities are increasingly becoming vulnerable targets for criminal gangs.
Security analysts have also continued to advocate closer cooperation among Southwest governors through existing regional security structures, including intelligence sharing and joint operations aimed at preventing infiltration by criminal networks.
The latest appeal by Salam adds to increasing calls on political leaders and security agencies to strengthen preventive security measures and reassure residents of the region of their safety.
