By John Paul
The South-West Governors’ Forum has unveiled sweeping new security and administrative measures aimed at fortifying the region against escalating criminal threats.
This is as it issued its strongest demand yet for the creation of state police, declaring that the time for self-policing has come and “can no longer be delayed” as mass abductions sweep across the country.
Rising from an emergency meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the governors — Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun), the forum commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing security interventions and economic reforms, but stressed that decentralised policing has become unavoidable in light of back-to-back mass kidnappings in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states, including the high-profile abductions at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, and the CAC Church in Eruku.
They also expressed solidarity with the Federal Government’s rescue missions, praising the swift recovery of the Kwara abductees and more than 51 students kidnapped from the Catholic school in Niger State.
A REGIONAL SECURITY MACHINE
Following an extensive review of the security climate, the governors agreed to a series of coordinated actions designed to harden the region against insurgents, kidnappers, and transnational criminal networks:
1. Creation of a South-West Security Fund
To be managed under the DAWN Commission and administered by the Special Advisers on Security from all six states. This will serve as the region’s joint financial backbone for security operations.
2. Establishment of a Real-Time Digital Intelligence-Sharing Network
A new live platform will allow the states to exchange threat alerts, incident logs, cargo and traveler intelligence, and coordinate cross-border rapid response to emerging threats.
3. Push for Federal Deployment of Forest Guards
While commending NSCDC personnel, hunters, and Amotekun operatives, the governors stressed that vast forest belts across the region have become entrenched havens for kidnappers and armed groups. They called for immediate Federal Government support to deploy well-equipped Forest Guards, with states providing manpower.
4. Curbing Unregulated Interstate Migration
Alarmed by the security risks posed by unchecked movement into the region, the forum called for tighter border monitoring, compulsory data capture, and cooperation with NIMC to enforce proper resident identification.
5. Crackdown on Illegal Mining
Citing growing environmental, security, and public-health threats, the governors demanded a region-wide enforcement drive, a stronger licensing regime, and decisive action against mining-linked criminal groups exploiting porous regulation.
Despite the heightened security fears, the governors urged residents of the South-West to remain united and protective of the region’s long-standing tradition of peace and religious tolerance.
“We remain one, indivisible entity,” the communiqué noted, pledging continued cooperation to safeguard lives and preserve stability across the zone.