Governors of Nigeria’s South West region have resolved to establish a joint surveillance and monitoring team to bolster security in response to emerging threats from the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other criminal groups.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued after the Southwest Governors’ Forum meeting held at the State House in Lagos.
The meeting, chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, had in attendance Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
The move follows heightened security concerns, particularly in Oyo State, where Governor Makinde recently warned about bandits displaced from the North infiltrating the region.
Prominent voices, including the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, and the Pan-Yoruba group Afenifere, have also raised alarms over the growing insecurity.
In a unified stance, the governors condemned the rising threats and called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits.
They also announced plans to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee security operations and improve coordination across the region.