The South-West Governors’ Forum has announced plans to launch a joint security operation aimed at tackling the growing presence of terrorists linked to the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP). The decision was reached after a meeting involving the six governors from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states.
The meeting, held at the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). The discussion was prompted by reports of terrorists infiltrating forests in the region, raising concerns about security.
Governor Makinde had previously raised the alarm in January, stating that criminals fleeing military operations in the North-West were moving into Oyo State. At a government event in Ibadan, he warned, “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.”
Additionally, the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arrested 10 suspected ISWAP members in Ilesa, Osun State. The suspects were detained after the DSS obtained a court order in January to hold them for 60 days.
Following the four-hour meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who chairs the forum, read out a communique where the governors noted the increasing security threats in the region and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling them. They announced plans to create a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to enhance security operations.
Sanwo-Olu 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. The Forum also commits to taking necessary actions to counter these threats.
“The Forum agreed to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee and coordinate security efforts across the South-West region. As part of this resolution, the Forum has committed to deploying advanced technology, including aerial surveillance systems to enhance security operations.
“Additionally, the Forum resolved that its Special Advisers on Security collaborate on intelligence gathering and sharing between state security agencies, local security networks, and federal law enforcement authorities among the South-West states.”
