Follow Us on Google
By Lukman Olabiyi
Governors of the Southwest Region, senators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, have outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the growing insecurity challenges in the country.
The measures were unveiled at the Southwest Zonal National Security Summit, convened by the Senate in partnership with the Lagos State Government. The summit is one of the six being held simultaneously across Nigeria’s geo-political zones.
Welcoming participants, Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), who chairs the Southwest summit, emphasised the need for decisive collaboration among stakeholders to prevent the region from becoming a haven for criminality.
He stressed that only coordinated, technology-driven and community-rooted initiatives would safeguard the region’s long standing values of openness, fairness and tolerance.
“Security is a collective responsibility, and while global partnerships can help, real implementation must be local and led by experts who understand our terrain,” Abiru said.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Ayodele Ogunsan, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security architecture.
Other News
He called for a regional framework that would protect lives and support long-term economic stability.
“We need to ensure that we make security our business; it is the nerve centre that binds us as citizens,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, the Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, urged the adoption of community policing, deployment of advanced technology, creation of a joint security task force, annual recruitment of 30,000 police personnel, and increased funding for security agencies.
He also advocated for expanded job opportunities to curb youth restiveness.
Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, reiterated that state policing remains the most effective solution to insecurity.
He argued that enforcing local government autonomy would empower councils with the resources needed to maintain security at the grassroots.
Former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, also called for strengthened collaboration among all stakeholders in the fight against insecurity.
