The South-West Governors’ Forum, comprising governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States, has reaffirmed its support for the establishment of State Police.
The forum, in a communique read after its meeting held at the Oyo State Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, said state police could no longer be delayed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was read by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
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 and various economic reforms and other developmental agendas.
The forum expressed solidarity with the Federal Government (FG) in its efforts in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States, following the recent kidnapping incidents across the mentioned states.
It applauded the swift 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 state of security of the South-West region and took some decisions to tighten the security of lives and property.
The governors’ forum resolved to set up a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) under the DAWN Commission.
The fund is to be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security of all South-West States, with meetings held monthly.
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 forum via the communique.
It further reaffirmed their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests, ensuring that the spaces no longer serve as safe corridors for banditry, kidnapping, or any form of criminal activities.
It equally 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 (NIMC) for proper identification.
The governors’ forum also expressed concern over illegal mining activities across the region, threatening environmental safety, public health and regional security.
It called for a comprehensive and enforceable licensing framework, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and strict enforcement actions 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 they had always been known for.
NAN reports that the six South-West governors are: Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
Adeleke was, however, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
