Southwest Govs Unveil Sweeping Regional Security Measures

South-West governors on Monday, November 24, 2025, met in Ibadan and announced sweeping measures to tackle rising security threats across the region.

The emergency meeting, held at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, had in attendance Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), while Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.

After reviewing the security situation, the governors approved the creation of a South West Security Fund to be domiciled under the DAWN Commission and managed by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security.

Thw Governors also endorsed a digital, real-time intelligence-sharing system to coordinate rapid response, exchange threat alerts and improve interstate collaboration.

And, urged the Federal Government to deploy Forest Guards across the region, commended Amotekun, the NSCDC and local hunters, and restated their collective resolve to reclaim the forests from criminals.

In a communiqué read by Sanwo-Olu, the governors commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, expressed solidarity over recent kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States, and praised the swift rescue of abducted victims.

They raised concerns about unregulated interstate migration and called for stricter border checks and better coordination with NIMC.

Reiterating their demand for state police, states helmmen said “the time is now,” while also commending efforts toward food sufficiency and urging the newly established South West Development Commission to deliver on its mandate. They affirmed the region’s unity and longstanding culture of religious tolerance.