Amid rising insecurity across the country, governors of the South-West region on Monday held a high-level security meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to review coordinated responses to the growing threat of banditry and the abduction of schoolchildren.
The meeting was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is also the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum. Others in attendance were Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, and the host governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Although details of their closed-door deliberations were not immediately made public, the gathering focused on the recent spike in attacks across parts of the country. The governors reportedly reviewed existing security arrangements and discussed new strategies to safeguard schools, rural communities and major highways in the region.
The South-West has relied heavily on regional cooperation—particularly through the Amotekun Corps—to complement federal security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
A communiqué is expected to be released outlining the joint actions agreed upon by the governors as insecurity continues to challenge several parts of Nigeria.