Worried by the infiltration of bandits, Boko Haram and ISWAP elements who are being smoked out from Northwest and Northeast forests, the Southwest Governors’ Forum rose from its meeting on Thursday and vowed to strongly counter any form of security threats into the region, especially ISWAP activities.
The high-level meeting held in Lagos, was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).
Earlier in January, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde warned that armed groups displaced by military operations in the North-West were seeking refuge in his state.
During an interfaith service in Ibadan, Makinde stated, “During a security briefing this morning, I learnt that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones. But we will find and deal with them.”
Though, authorities had taken action in response to these threats. In January, the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended 10 suspected ISWAP members in Ilesa, Osun State, and secured a court order to detain them for 60 days.
However, following extensive deliberations, which lasted from noon until 4pm on Thursday, the South-West Governors’ Forum issued a communiqué read by Sanwo-Olu.
The governors unanimously condemned ISWAP’s activities and outlined measures to enhance security across the region.
Sanwo-Olu, who chairs the Forum, said, “Acknowledging the threat posed by ISWAP activities in parts of the South West, the Forum strongly condemns any threat to the region’s security. It encourages enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits, urging them to remain vigilant.”
To combat security challenges, the Forum resolved to deploy advanced surveillance technology, including aerial monitoring, and to form a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to coordinate security efforts across the region.
Also, Special Advisers on Security from the six states will collaborate on intelligence gathering and information sharing.
