- Safiu Kehinde
The South West Governors’ Forum has called for the Federal Government’s deployment of Forest Guards across the region for surveillance amid growing security concerns.
The governors made the call in a communique issued after the security meeting held on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
NPO Reported that the governors had converged at the Oyo State Government House in Agodi where they were hosted by the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
Following the meeting, the governors highlighted their line of actions to tackle insecurity amid resurgence and spread of bandits and terrorists attack across the country.
While commending the efforts of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hunters, Amotekun Corps Members and all the other security, the forum calls on the Federal Government to note the urgent need for enhanced forest surveillance across the South West States.
They sought the deployment of the Forest Guards to secure the vast forest belts that have become hideouts for criminal elements.
The governors however pledged that each State Government will be responsible for providing the required personnel.
They reaffirmed their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests and ensuring that these spaces no longer serve as safe corridors for banditry, kidnapping, or any form of criminal activities.
Also agreed upon at the meeting was the establishment of the South West Regional Security Fund under the DAWN Commission.
This according to the communique is to be administered by Forum of Special Advisers on Security of all South West States.
The forum also resolved to establish a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform among all six South West states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti).
This platform will exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveler and cargo alerts and coordinate state-to- state rapid response.
Meanwhile, the South West governors expressed concern over unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose significant challenges across the region.
The forum called for stricter border monitoring, data collection and self- identification and each South west States to work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper identification.
They also agreed to intensify security collaboration to ensure that interstate migration does not become a conduit for insecurity.
Also subject of concern to the governors was the rise of illegal mining activities across the South West States, which continue to threaten environmental safety, public health and regional.
The forum called for comprehensive and enforceable licensing framework, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and strict enforcement actions against violators who may perpetrate violent crimes under the guise of mining.
Also noted in the communique was the governor’s support and reiteration for the establishment of State Police, emphasizing that ‘The Time is Now’.
They however acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Government in providing food sufficiency while also commending the various farmers in the region for the increase in agricultural output and subsequent stability and reduction in food prices.