Governors in Nigeria’s South-West region have called for the urgent creation of state police, insisting that “the time is now” to decentralise policing and strengthen security across the region.
The communiqué followed a meeting on Monday at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan, attended by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, and Governors Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo).
According to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governors extensively discussed agriculture, economic development, and the security challenges affecting the South-West. The Forum expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fight against insecurity, economic reforms, and other developmental initiatives. It also commended the Federal Government’s swift response to recent kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States.
To bolster regional security, the governors approved the South-West Security Fund (SWSF) under the DAWN Commission, to be managed by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security and reviewed monthly. They also announced a digital intelligence-sharing platform for real-time communication across the six states, facilitating threat alerts, incident reports, and coordinated rapid responses.
The Forum urged the Federal Government to tackle criminal hideouts in forest belts, enhance forest surveillance, and deploy Forest Guards, with state governments providing personnel. They also highlighted the challenges of unregulated interstate migration and pledged closer border monitoring in collaboration with the NIMC.
On illegal mining, the governors called for stricter regulation, monitoring, and enforcement, citing risks to public safety and regional security.
Reiterating their position, the Forum stated: “The time is now. State police can no longer be delayed”. They also praised farmers for increased agricultural output, which has contributed to stability and reduced food prices.
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