By IN a decisive move to tackle rising lawlessness, governors from Nigeria’s South-West states have unanimously demanded the creation of state-controlled police forces, declaring the reform “can no longer be delayed.”
The announcement came after a summit of the South-West Governors’ Forum, hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.
The meeting, which focused on security and regional development, resulted in the launch of a new, integrated security plan for the region.
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Chaired by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the forum outlined its new strategy in a communique. The key initiatives include:
· A New Regional Security Fund: The establishment of a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) to be managed by the special security advisers from all six states.
· A Digital Intelligence Network: The creation of a live, digital platform for all six states—Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti—to instantly share threat alerts, incident reports, and coordinate rapid responses.
The governors expressed “deep concern” over several issues fuelling the insecurity, including:
· Unregulated Migration: Pledging to intensify security collaboration to ensure interstate movement “does not become a conduit for insecurity.”
· Illegal Mining: Highlighting the threat of illegal mining to the environment and public safety.
· Forest Infiltration: Calling on the Federal Government to assist in securing the region’s vast forest belts, which have become “hideouts for criminal elements.”
While the forum commended President Bola Tinubu for his national security efforts and expressed solidarity over recent kidnappings in northern states, their central message was a firm call for the devolution of policing power.
“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.
The governors also reviewed agricultural progress and food security in the region, acknowledging improvements and a subsequent reduction in food prices.
They charged the newly established South-West Development Commission to deliver effectively on its mandate for the region.
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