Governors of the South-West states—Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo—have resolved to launch a joint security surveillance initiative to tackle the growing presence of Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the region.
The decision was reached during a high-level meeting on Thursday at the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, attended by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).
The move follows intelligence reports of terrorist infiltration into South-West forests. In January, Makinde warned that fleeing bandits from the North-West were seeking refuge in Oyo State. Additionally, the Department of State Services (DSS) recently arrested 10 ISWAP suspects in Ilesa, Osun State.
Governors Pledge Coordinated Action
Reading the communique after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu, who chairs the Forum, emphasized the need for proactive measures.
“The Forum acknowledges the threat posed by ISWAP in the South-West and condemns any security breaches. We are enhancing collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, local security outfits, and federal agencies. A Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team will oversee security efforts, utilizing advanced technology, including aerial surveillance systems,” he said.
The governors also directed their Special Advisers on Security to improve intelligence gathering and sharing among the South-West states.
Local Security Forces Mobilize
The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has urged South-West governors to treat the establishment of insurgent camps in forests as a security emergency.
“These foreign Fulani terrorists have always said that after conquering the North, the South is next. But Yorubaland will never be conquered. We are ready to help the governors tackle this menace before it escalates,” OPC President Wasiu Afolabi declared.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Amotekun Corps. During a visit to the Amotekun headquarters in Akure, Brig. Gen. Justin Ifeanyi of the 32 Artillery Brigade praised Amotekun’s role in intelligence gathering and pledged continued collaboration.
“We rely on Amotekun for actionable intelligence, and we are committed to strengthening this synergy,” Ifeanyi stated.
DSS Calls for Community Involvement
The DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, stressed that communities must serve as the first line of defense against terrorist infiltration.
“Security agencies cannot be everywhere. Communities must be vigilant and proactive,” he said, citing past successful resistance against terrorists in Bauchi State.
Governors Address Economic Challenges
Beyond security, the governors commended President Bola Tinubu for economic stability efforts, particularly in fuel supply and exchange rate management. They also lauded the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and endorsed the establishment of the South-West Development Commission, with its headquarters at Cocoa House, Ibadan.
To curb food inflation, the governors agreed to form a State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Team and establish Aggregation Centres and Food Hubs for inter-state collaboration.
The Forum also praised the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission for its role in regional industrialization and infrastructure development.
Thursday’s meeting was a follow-up to a similar session held in Lagos in June 2024, where Sanwo-Olu was appointed Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum.
