- set up regional security fund, intelligence-sharing system
- move to tighten borders
The Southwest governors have warned that now is the time to establish state police, as any further delay could be disastrous for Nigeria.
Stressing the urgent need to establish state police, the governor’s declared emphatically: “The time is now. It can no longer be delayed.”
Once again, they passionately called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to allow the creation of state police soonest to meaningfully tackle the insecurity problems that have for years been rocking all parts of the country.
For long, the governors, backed by Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, have been canvassing for the establishment of state police in each of the nation’s 36 states to effectively rein in the criminals who had, for years been unleashing terror, bloodshed and destruction on helpless Nigerians nationwide.
They renewed this call again at an emergency meeting on Monday in Ibadan, which doubles as the political capital of the region and Oyo State, where they also took decisive actions on the prevailing security challenges confronting the region.
At the crucial meeting held at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan, were Governors Seyi Makinde the host governor; Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti). Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his Deputy, Kola Adewusi.
Specifically, the emergency meeting was convened to address rising security concerns with a review of collaborative security initiatives, fast-track infrastructural development, and strengthen regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria.
At the end, apart from their renewed advocacy for state police, the governors also announced a series of sweeping regional security and development measures, including the creation of a South West Security Fund, a joint intelligence-sharing system, and tighter border monitoring.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors 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 kidnappings 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.
Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who read the communiqué after the meeting, said after reviewing the security situation in the region, the governors unveiled 10 key resolutions.
According to him, the governors resolved to establish a South West Security Fund (SWSF), to be domiciled under the DAWN Commission. He said the fund will be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security and will meet monthly to coordinate regional interventions.
Also, the meeting approved a digital, real-time intelligence-sharing platform among all six states.
The communiqué said the system will “exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveller and cargo alerts, and coordinate state-to-state rapid response.”
Commending the NSCDC, hunters’ groups and Amotekun Corps, the governors called on the Federal Government to urgently improve security across the South West’s forest belts.
“The Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the South West states,” they said, noting that states will provide the personnel. They also reaffirmed a “collective commitment to reclaiming the forests” from criminals.
The governors raised alarm over “unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose significant challenges,” calling for stricter border monitoring, biometric data collection and improved collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
They commended the Federal Government for efforts toward food sufficiency, and praised farmers in the region for increased production and “the subsequent stability and reduction in food prices.”
Also, they thanked Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC) and urged it to “effectively deliver on its mandate.”
They stressed: “We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for.”
