Southwest leaders unveil new security blueprint to tackle rising insecurity

Southwest leaders unveil new security blueprint to tackle rising insecurity

Governors, senators, traditional rulers and key regional stakeholders have rolled out a comprehensive security blueprint aimed at curbing the growing insecurity confronting the Southwest and the country at large.

The proposals were announced at the Southwest Zonal National Security Summit, organised by the Senate in collaboration with the Lagos State Government. The summit is part of a coordinated series taking place across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

Chairman of the Southwest summit and senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru, stressed the urgency of collective and technology-driven action to prevent the region from becoming vulnerable to emerging threats.
According to him, safeguarding the Southwest’s values of openness, fairness and tolerance requires community-rooted solutions.

“Security is a collective responsibility, and while global partnerships can help, the real implementation must be local and led by experts who understand our terrain,” Abiru said.

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Lagos State governor and chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Ayodele Ogunsan, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening its security architecture. He called for a reliable regional framework to ensure safety 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.

Representing traditional rulers, the Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, advocated for a multi-layered strategy, including community policing, the 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 emphasised the need for expanded job opportunities to reduce 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 required to secure their communities.

Former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, also underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders in combating insecurity.

The summit’s comprehensive recommendations are expected to shape a new security direction for the Southwest region and Nigeria as a whole.

Southwest leaders unveil new security blueprint to tackle rising insecurity