South-West govs create Security Fund, reiterate calls for State Police

The South West Governors’ Forum has announced the creation of a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) to be managed under the DAWN Commission and supervised by security advisers from each state.

The governors announced this alongside a series of sweeping regional security measures following a meeting held at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital, on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The Forum, in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, announced the creation of a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) to be managed under the DAWN Commission and supervised by security advisers from each state.

“The Forum agreed to set up a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) under DAWN Commission to be administered by Forum of Special Advisers on Security of all South-West States and to meet monthly,” the governors stated.

The Forum also approved the establishment of a digital intelligence-sharing platform that will enable real-time exchange of threat alerts, incident reports, and rapid-response coordination across state borders.

Concerned about rising forest-related criminality, the governors called for the deployment of federal government-supported forest guards, with states providing personnel to reclaim forest belts that have become safe havens for kidnappers and bandits.

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They commended security agencies, including the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), hunters, and Amotekun Corps, for ongoing efforts.

The Forum further raised alarm over unregulated interstate migration, urging strengthened border monitoring, data collection, and collaboration with NIMC to prevent criminals from exploiting movement across states.

While expressing solidarity with the federal government over recent kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States, the governors commended the swift rescue of abducted students and worshippers.

Reaffirming their stance on the creation of State Police, the governors declared that “the time is now,” stressing that further delay is unacceptable.

They also applauded ongoing federal agricultural interventions, the work of the DAWN Commission, and the newly established South-West Development Commission.

The governors, therefore, urged residents to remain united and protect the region’s longstanding culture of peace and religious tolerance.

The Star