Southwest Governors Renew Call for State Police, Launch Regional Security Fund to Combat Rising Crime

Southwest Governors Push for State Police Amid Rising Insecurity

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria – Governors of Nigeria's Southwest states, under the aegis of the South-West Governors' Forum, convened in Ibadan on Monday, November 24, 2025, to address the escalating security challenges plaguing the region. The governors unanimously renewed their call for the establishment of state police, asserting that 'the time is now' and its implementation can no longer be delayed to ensure effective security management across the country.

The high-level meeting, hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Governor's Office, saw the attendance of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Chairman of the Forum), Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.

New Regional Security Measures Unveiled

In a significant move to bolster regional security, the governors approved the creation of a dedicated South West Regional Security Fund (SWSF). This fund will be domiciled under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and managed by the Special Advisers on Security from all six states, with monthly meetings planned to coordinate interventions.

Furthermore, the Forum sanctioned the establishment of a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform. This platform is designed to facilitate real-time exchange of threat alerts, incident reports, traveler and cargo alerts, and to coordinate rapid state-to-state responses across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.

Addressing Key Threats: Illegal Mining, Migration, and Forest Hideouts

The governors expressed deep concern over several critical security threats contributing to the region's instability, including:

• Rising incidents of kidnapping and banditry.
• Illegal mining activities, which they described as a threat to public safety, environmental protection, and regional stability. They called for a stronger licensing framework, better monitoring, and strict enforcement against violators.
• Unregulated interstate migration, which poses significant challenges and can serve as a conduit for criminal infiltration. The Forum urged stricter border monitoring, improved data collection, and closer collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper identification of migrants.
• The use of vast forest belts as hideouts by criminal elements. The governors called on the Federal Government to support the deployment of Forest Guards across the region, with the states committing to providing the necessary personnel.

The Forum commended President Bola Tinubu for his ongoing reforms and commitment to addressing national security challenges, as well as for the swift rescue operations of abductees in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States. The governors reaffirmed their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests and ensuring these spaces no longer serve as safe corridors for criminal activities.