November 24, (THEWILL) — Concerned by the rising insecurity across the country, the South West Governors’ Forum, on Monday, announced major steps to reinforce safety across the region, unveiling a South West Regional Security Fund (SWSF) and renewing the call for the establishment of State Police.
The Forum, which comprises the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States, met at the Governor’s Office Secretariat in Ibadan to deliberate on critical issues affecting the region, with security taking centre stage.
The closed-door meeting, which lasted several hours, was attended by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.
Reading the communiqué at the end of the meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Forum was deeply concerned about the increasing wave of violent crimes nationwide, including the recent abductions in Niger and Kwara States.
The governors expressed solidarity with the Federal Government and commended the swift rescue of 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, as well as 51 students earlier declared missing from a Catholic school in Niger State.
The communiqué further called for tighter border control and improved data collection across the South West, urging all member states to collaborate closely with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper identification and intelligence support.
Expressing alarm over the surge in illegal mining, the Forum noted that unregulated activities continue to threaten environmental safety, public health, and regional stability. It demanded a comprehensive and enforceable licencing framework, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and strict enforcement actions against violators who may be using mining as a cover for criminal activities.
Reaffirming their collective commitment to safeguarding the region, the governors said the new security fund and the push for State Police would enhance coordinated responses to insecurity and strengthen efforts to protect lives and property across the South West.
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