By Joyce Eyaba, JKNewsMedia Reporter
CLOSED-DOOR deliberations in Ibadan signalled a decisive shift in the security stance of the South-West Governors’ Forum (S-WGF) on Monday, as leaders of the six states jointly declared that the establishment of state police “can no longer be delayed” and unveiled a new framework for regional security coordination.
They emerged from the meeting with a unified stance that “the time is now” to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture and grant states full policing powers.
The emergency session, held inside the Executive Chamber of the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, brought together the six governors or their representatives amid escalating insecurity, forest-based criminal networks and concerns over unregulated migration across the region.
Forum chair and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led the deliberations attended by Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), host Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi, who represented Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Reading the communique, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Forum had reached a decisive conclusion that Nigeria could no longer delay the establishment of state police, describing it as essential for responding to localised security threats that federal structures struggle to manage.
He stated: “The Forum reaffirms its support for the establishment of State Police, emphasising that ‘The Time is Now’ and it can no longer be delayed,” the communique stated, underscoring the governors’ most emphatic position of the day.
He also said the urgency was influenced by recent mass abductions in northern states and fears that similar patterns could spread southwards.
The governors then approved a new South-West Security Fund to be managed through the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, with administration handled by the security advisers of the six states.
They said the fund would streamline financing for joint operations and strengthen the region’s capacity to deploy rapid interventions.
They also agreed to establish a live digital intelligence-sharing platform to allow real-time exchange of threat alerts, incident reports, cargo and traveler movements, and coordinated response mechanisms across state boundaries.
According to the communique, the platform is expected to eliminate delays in information flow that criminals frequently exploit when moving across borders within the region.
The meeting raised alarm over criminal infiltration of forest belts across the South-West, urging the Federal Government to intensify surveillance and secure the vast woodland areas that have become hideouts for kidnappers and bandit groups.
Also, the governors expressed similar concerns over unregulated interstate migration, warning that uncontrolled movements were increasingly linked to security breaches.
Illegal mining also featured prominently, with them describing the surge in unauthorised excavation activities as a threat to environmental safety, public health and regional stability.
The governors commended President Bola Tinubu for national security interventions and rescue missions involving abducted schoolchildren and worshippers in Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States.
They also highlighted the return of abductees from Kwara and more than 51 Catholic school students in Niger State, describing the Federal Government’s response as swift and commendable.
Furthermore, they applauded federal efforts to stabilise food prices, noting increased agricultural output across the South-West.
Regional development
Later, the recently established South-West Development Commission received endorsement from the Forum, which urged the body to “effectively deliver on its mandate.”
Praise was also extended to the DAWN Commission for ongoing work on regional integration and security coordination.
The session closed with an appeal for continued vigilance and solidarity among residents.
“Finally, the Forum enjoins all the South-West people to remain united and committed to the peace that exists in our dear region,” the communique read, reaffirming a commitment to religious tolerance and regional cohesion.
Although no official justification was given for the emergency nature of the meeting, it was suggested that rising security incidents and the need to strengthen the Amotekun Corps were key drivers of the gathering.
The governors finally agreed to sustain cooperation to safeguard lives and property, support economic growth and deepen regional collaboration under the DAWN agenda.
