Stakeholders from the South-West region, led by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have renewed firm calls for the implementation of indigenous security solutions, advanced technology, and state police to effectively combat Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
The unanimous appeal was made yesterday during the South-West Zonal Security Summit, which was organised by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on National Security in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and held in Ikeja.
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The summit served as a crucial platform for security agencies, government officials, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions to discuss practical, region-specific approaches to improving national security.
Attendees included Sanwo-Olu, represented by Ayodele Ogunsan, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, South-West state representatives, and members of the Senate, led by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening state’s existing security architecture.
He advocated for a comprehensive regional security framework, stressing that security is fundamental not only for peace among citizens but also for achieving economic stability and prosperity.
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The consensus among the stakeholders emphasised that addressing insecurity requires moving beyond current measures to adopt strategies rooted in local knowledge and technological advancements, with the establishment of state police being a central demand for effective regional control and rapid response.
Background
The call was made against the backdrop of rising insecurity across the country, particularly the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, the kidnapping of pupils in Niger State, and the recent church attack in Kwara State.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the South-West governors, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, and Ademola Adeleke of Osun in July, demanded the restructuring of Nigeria, true federalism, state police, and resource control as part of the ongoing constitutional review process.
The governors made these demands during the South-West Centre B Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, held on Friday at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome) in Akure, Ondo State.
They further called for a new revenue-sharing formula and the constitutional recognition of Local Council Development Authorities (LCDAs) to strengthen governance at the grassroots.
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Highlighting the persistent security challenges, the governors argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing system is no longer effective and emphasised the urgent need for state police to improve security and community intelligence.
They cited the operational success of the South-West security outfit, Amotekun, as evidence that localised policing can work in Nigeria, particularly in intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
