South-West Governors Set Up Security Fund, Renews Call For State Police

Governors of the South-West geopolitical region have set up the South West Security Fund (SWSF), a joint intelligence-sharing system and resolved to tighten border monitoring.

The governors also reechoed the call for the establishment of State Police as part of measures to address the security situation in the region.

At the meeting were the Lagos State governor who is also the Chairman of South West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu as well as Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo; Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.

The emergency meeting was convened to address rising security concerns with a review of collaborative security initiatives, fast-track infrastructural development, and strengthen regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors commended President Bola Tinubu for “the fight against insecurity, various economic reforms and other developmental agenda” in the country.

The governors also expressed solidarity with the Federal Government over recent kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States, praising what they described as the “swift response” that led to the rescue of abducted Kwara worshippers and more than 51 students of St. Mary’s Catholic school in Niger State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who read the communique, said the Fund will be domiciled under the DAWN Commission and be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security who will meet monthly to coordinate regional interventions.

The meeting also approved a digital, real-time intelligence-sharing platform among all six states.

According to the communiqué, the system will “exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveller and cargo alerts, and coordinate state-to-state rapid response.”

Commending the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), hunters’ groups and Amotekun Corps, the governors called on the Federal Government to urgently improve security across the South West’s forest belts.

“The Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the South West states,” they said, noting that states will provide the personnel.

The governors also reaffirmed a “collective commitment to reclaiming the forests” from criminals.

The governors also raised alarm over “unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose significant challenges,” calling for stricter border monitoring, biometric data collection and improved collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Reiterating a longstanding demand, the governors declared their support for the establishment of state police, saying: “The time is now. It can no longer be delayed.”

The governors further commended the Federal Government for efforts toward food sufficiency, and praised farmers in the region for increased production and “the subsequent stability and reduction in food prices.”

They commended Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC) and urged the commission to “effectively deliver on its mandate.”

South-West governors stressed that the region “remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for”.