Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun states coordinate on intelligence sharing, kidnapping response, and illegal mining crackdown
South-West governors, under the South-West Governors’ Forum, have reiterated their call for the creation of state police as a strategic measure to tackle rising insecurity across the region and Nigeria at large.
The call came on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a closed-door meeting at the Oyo State Governor’s Office.
Present at the session were Lagos State Governor and Forum Chairman Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the host, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
Regional Security Fund and Coordination
At the end of the meeting, Sanwo-Olu read a communiqué detailing the forum’s plans to strengthen regional security. The governors announced the creation of a South-West Regional Security Fund, to be managed by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and supervised by security advisers from all six states.
The fund aims to support joint operations, rapid response initiatives, and intelligence sharing across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
The forum also stressed the need for tighter monitoring of interstate migration, working alongside the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure proper identification and prevent criminal infiltration.
In addition, the governors called for stricter regulation and enforcement of illegal mining activities, citing the security and environmental risks linked to unlicensed operations. A live digital intelligence-sharing platform will also be established to facilitate real-time threat alerts, incident reports, and communication among the states.
The governors urged the Federal Government to deploy Forest Guards to reclaim forest belts currently exploited as hideouts by criminal elements.
Rising Security Concerns
The meeting comes amid a surge in criminal activity across Nigeria. Recent attacks include:
- Niger State: Over 300 children abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, Papiri.
- Kebbi State: 25 girls kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga; the vice principal killed.
- Kwara State: Three people killed in an abduction of worshippers at a Christ Apostolic Church parish in Eruku.
- Bauchi State: Five police officers killed in separate attacks.
- Borno State: 12 female farmers abducted by bandits.
With incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and rural attacks escalating, South-West governors have emphasized the urgent need for coordinated regional and federal responses to protect citizens and strengthen security infrastructure.
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