The South West Governors’ Forum has announced the establishment of a Joint Security Surveillance Team to combat security threats in the region, particularly in response to the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The decision was reached at the Forum’s meeting held on Thursday at the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors, comprising the leaders of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states, strongly condemned ISWAP’s activities and pledged to enhance security measures to protect residents.
“Acknowledging the threat posed by ISWAP activities in parts of the South West, the Forum strongly condemns any threat to the region’s security. It encourages enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits, urging them to remain vigilant. The Forum also commits to taking necessary actions to counter these threats,” the communiqué stated.
To reinforce security efforts, the governors agreed to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee and coordinate security operations across the region. They also resolved to deploy advanced technology, including aerial surveillance systems, to strengthen intelligence gathering and response mechanisms.
“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 communiqué read.
The governors commended their respective state security agencies for ensuring peace during the recent festive period and urged continued efforts to maintain stability.
Beyond security matters, the Forum also addressed other pressing regional concerns, including food security, economic development, and education. They commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s economic policies, particularly the stability in petroleum supply and exchange rates. Additionally, they applauded the implementation of the Student Loan Scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), urging students to take full advantage of the initiative.
Also, in a move to curb rising food prices, the governors agreed to create a State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Team and establish the Aggregation Centres/Food Hubs to foster inter-state collaboration and mitigate inflationary pressures caused by middlemen.
The Forum also expressed support for the South West Development Commission (SWDC), commending the Federal Government and the Senate for establishing the body and agreeing to situate its headquarters at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State.
They further acknowledged Odu’a Investment Company for its efforts in managing joint assets, highlighting the redevelopment of Premier Hotel in Ibadan and Lagos Airport Hotel as key projects.
Additionally, the Forum praised the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission for its recent strides in fostering industrialisation and infrastructure development.
The resolutions underscore the Forum’s commitment to ensuring security, economic stability, and growth across the South West.
