South-West Governors Renew Push for State Police, Establish Regional Security Fund

Governors of the South-West states have once again reiterated their demand for the creation of state police, saying it has become a necessary step to confront the escalating security challenges in the region and across Nigeria.

The position was made known on Monday after a closed-door meeting of the South-West Governors’ Forum held at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

Full Attendance Except Osun

Present at the meeting were:

• Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) – Forum Chairman
• Dapo Abiodun (Ogun)
• Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo)
• Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti)
• Seyi Makinde (Oyo – Host)

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.

The leaders reviewed regional concerns and agreed on a unified strategy to bolster safety amid rising fears over kidnapping, banditry, rural violence, and illegal mining.

Creation of South-West Regional Security Fund

Reading the communiqué, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that the Forum had approved the establishment of a South-West Regional Security Fund.

The fund will:

• Strengthen joint operations across the six states
• Support coordinated, intelligence-driven security activities
• Enhance rapid response capability
• Address cross-border criminal movements
• Tackle illegal mining and banditry

The fund will be managed by the DAWN Commission and supervised by security advisers from each state.

Stronger Border Control & Intelligence Sharing

The governors expressed deep concern over unregulated interstate migration, warning that it poses a growing risk of criminal infiltration. They called for:

• Tighter border monitoring
• Collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper identification of migrants
• A crackdown on unauthorized movements

To improve collaboration, the Forum approved a digital intelligence-sharing platform that will provide real-time:

• Threat alerts
• Incident reports
• Inter-state communication

This platform is expected to enhance synergy between Amotekun units and other security agencies.

Crackdown on Illegal Mining & Forest Hideouts

With illegal mining on the rise, the governors demanded:

• A stronger licensing framework
• Increased enforcement
• Tougher penalties for violators

They also urged the Federal Government to support the deployment of Forest Guards across the region to reclaim forest belts used as criminal hideouts.

Worsening Insecurity Nationwide

The renewed security push comes against the backdrop of multiple high-profile attacks in northern states:

• Niger State: Over 300 students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri.
• Kebbi State: 25 schoolgirls kidnapped from GGCSS, Maga; the vice principal was killed.
• Kwara State: Three people killed, worshippers abducted at a Christ Apostolic Church parish in Eruku.
• Bauchi State: Five police officers killed in a bandit ambush.
• Borno State: 12 female farmers abducted.

With kidnappings, banditry, and rural attacks spreading across multiple regions, pressure continues to mount on both state and federal governments to intensify security efforts.