Governors from the South-West geopolitical zone convened a closed-door meeting in Ibadan on Monday to address rising security concerns across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Southwest Governors’ Forum (SGF) met at the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who chairs the forum, led the session.
Others in attendance included Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adeusi.
Although the agenda was not officially disclosed, the meeting is believed to be linked to the worsening security situation nationwide. It comes amid recent mass abductions in Kebbi and Niger, as well as the kidnapping of church worshippers in Kwara State.
The forum is also expected to review strategies for strengthening regional collaboration on infrastructure development and ongoing initiatives under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
Part of the discussion is anticipated to focus on improving the effectiveness of the Amotekun Corps and assessing the progress of the joint surveillance unit the governors agreed to establish in February to combat terrorism and curb food inflation.
The meeting follows recent warnings by Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, who alleged that terrorists and bandits have infiltrated forests across the South-West and parts of the North-Central.
Speaking in Lagos on November 18, Adams claimed the groups were occupying forest areas across Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, as well as parts of Edo and Delta. He called for heightened vigilance and criticised the governors for not responding to his earlier proposals for a regional security summit.
“These are perilous times in Yorubaland; from Kogi to Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, parts of Edo and Delta states, the ominous signs are there,” he said.
“Merchants of death have surrounded the more than 60 million inhabitants of this geographical space.
“The bloodthirsty maniacs don’t have good intentions for the peace-loving people of our area. Rather, they are waiting for the signal from their foreign sponsors to invade this land, kill mercilessly, and take over people’s ancestral inheritance.
“More than a year ago, I raised the alarm… Pitiably, there was no response from them.”
