The Southwest Governors’ Forum on Thursday resolved to establish a joint surveillance and monitoring team to coordinate security operations across the subregion.
The forum said the move is a response to the emerging threats of ISWAP and other criminal groups whose activities are inimical to the peace and stability of South West.
This is contained in the communique issued at the end of the forum’s meeting held at the State House in Lagos.
The meeting hosted by the forum’s chairman and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was attended by governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
Daily Trust reports that there have been concerns in the subregion following the alarm raised by Makinde in January that bandits being dislodged from the North West of Nigeria are infiltrating his state.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, had urged governors in the South West region to urgently address the growing security threats posed by bandits.
Also, Afenifere said Makinde’s comment should not be treated with levity going by the nature of the threats.
At the governors’ meeting on Thursday, they acknowledged the threat posed by ISWAP activities in parts of South West and “strongly condemned any threat to the subregion’s security.”
The governors urged 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,” Sanwo-Olu, who read the resolution, said.
The governors agreed “to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee and coordinate security efforts across the South West subregion.”
As part of the resolution, the forum also expressed its commitment to deploying advanced technology, including aerial surveillance systems to enhance security operations.
