South West Governors Set Up Security Fund, Intelligence – sharing System

Governors of the South West region, during an emergency meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, set up security fund for the region.

The meeting was convened to reflect on the security situation in the country and region.
At the meeting were Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, his colleagues, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), as well as Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, who his deputy, Kola Adewusi, represented.

The emergency meeting was convened to address rising security concerns through a review of collaborative security initiatives, fast-tracking infrastructural development, and strengthening regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria.

In a statement issued by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, the Governor announced a series of sweeping regional security and development measures, including the creation of a South West Security Fund, a joint intelligence-sharing system, tighter border monitoring, and renewed advocacy for state police.

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

Reading the communiqué after the meeting, Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that after reviewing the security situation in the region, the governors unveiled 10 key resolutions.

He said the governors resolved to establish a South West Security Fund (SWSF), to be domiciled under the DAWN Commission. He said the fund will be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security and 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 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 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 thanked Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC) and urged it to “effectively deliver on its mandate.”

“We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for,” the communiqué stated.

Amid worsening insecurity in various parts of the country, the Governors of the South-West states converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday for an emergency meeting to discuss urgent regional issues, with security topping the agenda.

Our correspondent gathered that the closed-door session, held at the Governor’s Office in Agodi, is being hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, with governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Governor Makinde himself in attendance. In contrast, his deputy represents Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Although full details of the meeting remain undisclosed as of the time of filing this report, sources familiar with the development said the urgent gathering was convened to deliberate on rising security concerns across the South-West, particularly fears over the movement of criminal elements from other parts of the country into the zone.

The governors are also expected to discuss strategies for fast-tracking infrastructural development and strengthening regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission.

Part of the agenda includes a review of ongoing collaborative security frameworks, especially the operations of the Amotekun Corps, with an eye on boosting its capacity to tackle emerging threats.

The meeting observers also became necessary due to the urgent need to tighten border surveillance, improve intelligence sharing, and forge stronger inter-state coordination to safeguard lives and property in the region.