- South-West Govs Agree To Create Regional Security Fund
- Demand Tougher Controls To Counter Illegal Mining Risks
- Presidency: Nigeria, US Seal New Security Cooperation Framework
Governors of the South-West region have renewed their demand for the establishment of state police, insisting it remains the most effective solution to the escalating insecurity confronting the country.
TheMatrix Newspaper reports that Nigeria has been faced with rising insecurity in recent times, with a spate of abductions, kidnappings rocking several parts of the country.
Rising from its high-level security meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on Monday, the governors noted that the establishment of state police has become more imperative.
The meeting was attended by the forum’s Chairman and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Others included Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and the host, Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
However, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
The governors took stock of regional concerns and mapped out a coordinated response amid insecurity and rising fears within the South-West.
Sanwo-Olu read the communiqué at the end of the closed-door meeting that lasted for many hours.
The governors harped on regional integration and agreed to create a South West Regional Security Fund to strengthen the region’s response to insecurity, especially rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining, and unregulated interstate migration.
The Forum said the fund would be managed by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and supervised by the special advisers on security from all six states.
It said the fund would support coordinated operations, joint intelligence sharing, and rapid response initiatives across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
“The forum resolves to establish a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform among all six south-west states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti),” he said.
“This platform will exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveller 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 calls for the federal government to secure the vast forest belts that have become hideouts for criminals.
“To this end, the forum agrees that the federal government should help deploy forest guards across the south-west states, with each state government responsible for providing the required personnel.
“The governors reaffirm their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests and ensuring that these spaces no longer serve as safe corridors for banditry, kidnapping, or any form of criminal activity.”
The governors further expressed concern over unregulated interstate migration, calling for stricter border monitoring and collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure proper identification of migrants and prevent criminal infiltration.
While raising the alarm over the rise in illegal mining activities, they called for a stronger licensing framework and tougher enforcement to curb environmental and security threats linked to unlawful mining operations.
The governors also approved the establishment of a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform that would enable real-time exchange of threat alerts, incident reports, and inter-state security communication.
On forest security, the governors urged the Federal Government to support the deployment of Forest Guards across the region to reclaim forest belts currently used as hideouts by criminal elements.
Meanwhile, Nigeria and the United States have outlined new steps to deepen security cooperation following a series of high-level meetings in Washington, the Presidency has announced.
A statement by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga said both countries agreed to immediately activate a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate efforts against terrorism and violent attacks.
During the meetings, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, US officials pledged enhanced intelligence sharing, quicker processing of defence equipment requests, and possible access to excess military hardware. They also offered humanitarian aid to affected communities in the Middle Belt and support for improving early-warning systems.
The Nigerian delegation rejected claims of genocide, stressing that violence in the country cuts across all ethnic and religious groups and warning against misleading narratives.
According to the Presidency, the engagements helped strengthen trust, correct misconceptions, and advance joint plans to protect vulnerable populations. Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to improving civilian protection.
The delegation included Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Defence Intelligence Chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and other officials.
