The South-West Governors’ Forum on Monday announced the creation of South-West Security Fund and renewed advocacy for state police.
The decision was taken at the Forum’s meeting held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Present at the meeting were Gov. Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo) and the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mr. Kola Adewusi, representing Gov Ademola Adeleke.
The meeting was convened to address rising insecurity with a review of collaborative security initiatives, fast-track infrastructural development, and strengthen regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria(DAWN).
The Forum in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, commended President Bola Tinubu for “the fight against insecurity, various economic reforms and other developmental agenda.”
The governors 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 the 51 students of St. Mary’s Catholic school in Niger State.
The Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while reading the communique, said after reviewing the security situation in the region, the governors unveiled 10 key resolutions.
He said the governors resolved to establish a South-West Security Fund (SWSF), to be domiciled under the DAWN Commission. He said the fund would be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security and will meet monthly to coordinate regional interventions.
The meeting also approved a digital, real-time intelligence-sharing platform among all six states.
According to the communiqué, the system will “exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveller and cargo alerts, and coordinate state-to-state rapid response.”
Commending the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, hunters’ groups and Amotekun Corps, the governors called on the Federal Government to urgently improve security across the South-West’s forests.
“The Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the South-West states,” they said, noting that states would provide the personnel.
The governors 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).
Reiterating a longstanding demand, the governors declared their support for the establishment of state police, saying: “The time is now. It can no longer be delayed.”
The governors further commended the Federal Government for efforts towards food sufficiency, and praised farmers in the region for increased production and “the subsequent stability and reduction in food prices.”
They thanked Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC) and urged the commission to “effectively deliver on its mandate.”
“We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for,” the governors stated.
