Governors of the South West have resolved to establish a joint surveillance team to tackle rising insecurity in the region.
According to The Punch, the governors, under the aegis of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, made the resolution during a meeting held at the Lagos State House in Alausa, Ikeja on Thursday.
Governors at the meeting included Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).
They also agreed to establish joint food hubs to address the growing food inflation and associated challenges and engender regional security.
The Chairman of the forum and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the resolutions while reading the communique issued at the end of the meeting.
Sanwo-Olu said the move is a direct response to the emerging threats of insecurity, which he noted are inimical to the peace and stability of the South West.
Sanwo-Olu said, “The forum agreed to appoint special advisors on security in each state and to establish a joint surveillance monitoring team which we believe will oversee and coordinate security efforts across the region.
“And as part of the resolution, the forum has committed to deploying advanced technology, including area surveillance systems that will enhance security operations.
“Additionally, the forum resolved to strengthen intelligence gathering by fostering a collaboration between our state security operatives, local security networks and of course the federal enforcement authorities.”
Also, The Guardian reports that the governors said they are ready to counter any attempt by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) to enter the region, thereby undermining its security.
Sanwo-Olu, addressing the media after a four-hour meeting by the governors, stated that the forum also agreed to establish a joint surveillance monitoring team on security.
He said that the governors commended the board and management team of Odua Investment Limited for its ongoing efforts in repositioning the investment company.
The governor added that the forum commended President Bola Tinubu over the ongoing economic reforms that have ensured stable naira and supply of petrol across the country.
He further said the president was commended for establishing the South Western Development Commission and that the governors agreed that its head office should be located at Ibadan within Cocoa House of Odua Investment Company Limited.
As part of efforts to ensure food security and check inflation, Sanwo-Olu stated that governors said a food inflation joint monitoring team was agreed on curbing food inflation within the region while each state should establish a food logistics hub in their domain.
