SOUTH WEST GOVERNORS UNVEIL REGIONAL SECURITY FUND, PUSH FOR STATE POLICE
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Governors of the six South-West states have announced a set of far-reaching decisions aimed at strengthening security, economic development and administrative coordination across the region.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued on Monday following the South West Governors’ Forum meeting held at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governors from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti said the decisions followed extensive deliberations on security challenges, agriculture, development and regional cooperation.
They also expressed solidarity with the Federal Government over recent kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states, commending swift rescue efforts.
A South West Security Fund (SWSF) is to be set up under the DAWN Commission, to be jointly administered by special advisers on security from all six states.
A tech-driven communication platform will enable real-time exchange of threat alerts, incident logs, traveller and cargo warnings, and rapid response among the states.
The forum urged the Federal Government to support the deployment of forest guards, with states providing personnel, to tackle criminal hideouts in vast forest belts.
Governors called for stricter border monitoring, improved data collection in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and tighter coordination to prevent migration-related security threats.
The forum said illegal mining poses a growing threat to environmental and public safety and called for stricter licensing and enforcement measures.
Reaffirming their long-standing demand, the governors insisted that “The time is now” for the establishment of state police, saying further delay is unacceptable.
Other resolutions discussed are the commendation of farmers and the Federal Government for improvements in agricultural output and food prices.
Thanked President Bola Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission.
Praised the DAWN Commission for regional integration efforts.
The communiqué ended with an appeal to residents to maintain peace and harmony.
“We remain one, indivisible entity… committed to religious tolerance and the peace that exists in our region,” the forum stated.
Monday’s summit comes as the South West faces rising insecurity, including kidnappings, cult violence, forest incursions and illegal economic activities. The forum’s decisions signal a renewed drive toward collective regional defence and development.
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