BREAKING: Details Emerge From South West Governors’ Emergency Security Summit

• The South West Governors’ Forum has announced bold new security measures, including the creation of a South West Regional Security Fund and a renewed push for State Police, following a high-level meeting in Ibadan on the region’s growing insecurity concerns.

Concerned by the worsening insecurity across the country, the South West Governors’ Forum has taken decisive steps to strengthen protection across the region, calling for the immediate establishment of State Police and unveiling a South West Regional Security Fund (SWSF) to safeguard lives and property.

The Forum—which includes the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States—met on Monday at the Governor’s Office Secretariat in Ibadan to deliberate on critical regional issues, with security taking centre stage.

In attendance at the closed-door meeting were Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Ekiti Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun. Osun State Governor was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.

In a communiqué read by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Forum expressed solidarity with the Federal Government following recent attacks, including the abduction of students at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Niger State; St. Mary’s Catholic institution in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger; and the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State.

The Forum applauded the swift Federal response, which led to the safe rescue of over 51 students in Niger State and other abductees in Kwara State.

According to the communiqué, “The Forum commends Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the fight against insecurity and various economic reforms and other developmental agenda. We express solidarity with the Federal Government in its efforts following the recent spate of kidnappings and applaud the swift response toward the rescue of the abductees.”

To enhance regional safety, the governors resolved to establish the South West Regional Security Fund (SWSF) under the DAWN Commission, to be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security and reviewed monthly.

“This Fund will support initiatives aimed at strengthening security infrastructure and rapid response across the region,” the communiqué added.

DON’T MISS: ‘Are We Cursed?’ — Peter Obi Warns Nigeria Is Sinking Into ‘Avoidable Disorder’

The Forum also agreed to create a joint digital intelligence-sharing and communication platform linking all six South West States. The system will enable real-time exchange of threat notifications, incident logs, traveller and cargo alerts, and support coordinated rapid response across state borders.

Highlighting the growing use of forests as criminal hideouts, the communiqué stated:
“The Forum calls on the Federal Government to secure the vast forest belts that have become hideouts for criminal elements. To this end, the Forum agrees that the Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the South West States, with each State Government responsible for providing the required personnel.”

The governors reaffirmed their commitment to reclaiming these forests and ending their use as safe corridors for banditry, kidnapping and related crimes.

On unregulated interstate migration, the Forum described the trend as a rising security threat.
“The Forum calls for stricter border monitoring, data collection and self-identification, and each South West State to work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper identification,” the communiqué said.

The governors also raised alarm over escalating illegal mining activities, which they say threaten environmental safety, public health and security. They called for stronger licensing frameworks, improved monitoring, and strict enforcement against violators who may be hiding criminal activity behind mining operations.

Reaffirming their long-standing demand, the Forum declared:
“The Time is Now, and it can no longer be delayed.” — in reference to the establishment of State Police.

Finally, the governors called on residents of the South West to remain united, saying:
“We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for.”