Insecurity: South-West governors agree to establish new joint security outfit

…plan food hubs to tackle inflation

Governors of the six South-West states- Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Ondo, on Thursday, agreed to set up a new joint security outfit to tackle new waves of insecurity in the region.

There have been concerns in recent months over alleged movement of bandits and suspected terrorists from the northern part of Nigeria to the South-West, a region considered relatively more peaceful.

The new outfit which is yet to be named, according to the governors, would be tasked with combating all forms of banditry and other crimes in the region.

There currently exists a security outfit known as “Amotekun” in some states of the South-West. The governors did not say whether the new outfit being planned would incorporate the existing one.

The governors also agreed to establish joint food hubs to address increasing food inflation and associated challenges in order to engender security of the region.

The meeting of the South-West governors hosted by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Lagos House, Ikeja, was attended by Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebaniji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Ademola Adeleke, Osun.

Sanwo-Olu, chairman of the South-West Governor’s Forum, who read a communique issues at the end of the meeting, said deliberations focused on common interests and key regional issues, which include. These, according to him, include security, agriculture, food security, economic collaboration, and the South-West Development Commission.

The 11- point communique, the governors commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts at making Petroleum products available, stabilising the exchange rate, and introducing student loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has benefited South West students in tertiary institutions.

The governors hailed the relative peace and security in the region and condemned the activities of the Islamic States of West Africa (ISWAP) and the threat they pose in parts of the South West.

They encouraged enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits, urging them to remain vigilant. They also committed to taking necessary actions to counter these threats.

The governors agreed on the establishment of a Joint Security Surveillance to oversee and coordinate security efforts across the South West region.

"As part of this resolution, the Forum has committed to deploying advanced technology, including aerial surveillance systems to enhance security operations. Additionally, the Forum resolved its Special Advisers on Security collaborates on intelligence gathering and sharing between State security agencies, local security networks, and federal law enforcement authorities among South West States.”

The governors commended the Federal Government and the Senate for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC) and collectively agreed to situate its headquarters at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The governors also acknowledges the efforts of Odu’a Investment Company Ltd in efficiently managing joint assets of the South West region over the past five years.

They also commended the company’s board and management for the ongoing redevelopment of Premier Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, and the proposed redevelopment of the Lagos Airport Hotel in Lagos State.

On food, the governors, recognising the need for food security, encouraged collaboration among South West states to implement collective measures aimed at curbing food inflation in the region.

They expressed concern over the activities of unscrupulous middlemen who deliberately inflate prices of goods and commodities in South West markets, and therefore, agreed to establish a State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Team and as well as establishment of Aggregation Centre /Food Hubs to foster inter-state

collaboration and mitigate food inflation.