The South-West Governors’ Forum, comprising governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo, has reaffirmed its support for the establishment of State Police.

The forum, in a communique read after its meeting held at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, said state police could no longer be delayed. The communique was read by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The forum submitted that the creation of state police would enhance ongoing efforts in tackling insecurity across the country.

It therefore tasked President Bola Tinubu with the fight against insecurity, as well as various economic reforms and other developmental agendas.

The forum expressed solidarity with the Tinubu government in its efforts in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger, following the recent kidnapping incidents across the mentioned states.

It applauded the response of the government towards the rescue of the Kwara abductees and more than 51 students of the Catholic School in Niger.

The forum, however, reviewed the current security situation in the South-West region and took some decisions to tighten security to protect lives and property.

The governors’ forum resolved to set up a South-West Security Fund under the DAWN Commission. The fund is to be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security of all South-West States, with monthly meetings. It also agreed to create a Joint Security Intelligence Sharing and Communication Platform.

“The forum resolves to establish a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform among all six South-West states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti). This platform will exchange threat notifications, incident logs, travellers, and cargo alerts, and coordinate state-to-state rapid response.

“The forum calls on the federal government to note the urgent need for enhanced forest surveillance across the South-West states and call for the FG to secure the vast forest belts that have become hideouts for criminal elements.

“To this end, the forum agrees that the FG should help deploy forest guards across the South-West states, with each state government responsible for providing the required personnel,” said the statement.

It further reaffirmed their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests, ensuring that the spaces no longer serve as safe corridors for banditry, kidnapping, or other criminal activities. It decried and expressed deep concern about the unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose significant challenges across the South-West.

It therefore called for stricter border monitoring, data collection, and self-identification, with each state working with the National Identity Management Commission to ensure proper identification.

The governors’ forum also expressed concern about illegal mining activities across the region, which threaten environmental safety, public health, and regional security.

It called for a comprehensive, enforceable licensing framework, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and strict enforcement against violators. It then enjoined all residents to remain united and committed to the existing peace in the region.

The forum urged the people to remain one indivisible entity that would continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance for which they had always been known.

The six South-West governors are Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Mr Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

Mr Adeleke, however, was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi. 

(NAN)