The South-West Governors’ Forum has renewed its call for the establishment of state police, describing it as an urgent national priority that can no longer be postponed in the face of growing security challenges across the region.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the Forum’s meeting held on Monday at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan.
In attendance were Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, and Osun State Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi.
Reading the communiqué, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the governors deliberated extensively on security, agriculture and regional economic development, and agreed that decentralising policing would significantly enhance security operations.
The Forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his “decisive efforts” in combatting insecurity, and for his economic and developmental reforms.
It also expressed solidarity with the Federal Government over recent kidnapping incidents in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States, acknowledging the swift rescue of abductees in the affected areas.
As part of measures to strengthen security coordination, the governors approved the creation of a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) to be domiciled at the DAWN Commission.
The fund will be jointly managed by Special Advisers on Security from all six states and reviewed monthly.
They also agreed to set up a digital intelligence-sharing platform to enable real-time communication among the states.
The system will facilitate the exchange of threat alerts, incident reports, and interstate rapid response coordination.
The communiqué highlighted concerns over growing criminal activities within the forests across the region and urged the Federal Government to increase surveillance capacity.
“The urgent need for enhanced forest monitoring cannot be overstated,” the governors said.
They also urged the Federal Government to deploy Forest Guards, while state governments provide the personnel required for the scheme.
Rising illegal mining activities also came under scrutiny. The Forum warned that the trend poses environmental, health and security threats.
It called for a more robust licensing framework, improved monitoring and strict punitive measures against defaulters.
Alarmed by what they described as unregulated interstate migration, the governors said the situation was contributing to rising insecurity.
They resolved to intensify border checks and partner with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to strengthen migrant identification and verification.
Reaffirming their long-standing advocacy for decentralised policing, the governors declared:
“The time is now. State police can no longer be delayed.”
The Forum praised farmers within the region for improved agricultural yields, saying the recent stability in food prices is largely due to increased output.
It also thanked President Tinubu for establishing the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) and urged the body to fully deliver on its mandate.
The DAWN Commission was similarly applauded for its ongoing contributions to security coordination and regional integration.
Concluding the meeting, the governors called for unity, noting that the South-West remains “one, indivisible region committed to religious harmony and collective progress.”
