South -West Governors
Susan Abayomi
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has said governors in Nigeria’s South-West are actively working together and stepping up collaboration to tackle insecurity across the region. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, he noted that the six South-West states are using the platform of the South-West Governors’ Forum and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN Commission, to coordinate responses to rising threats like kidnapping, banditry, and violent attacks on highways and farmlands. According to him, the cross-border nature of crime means no single state can handle it alone, so joint action has become essential for protecting lives and property. He stressed that the governors meet regularly to review security situations, share intelligence, and agree on unified strategies instead of working in silos.
A major part of that collaboration, Aiyedatiwa explained, involves strengthening the regional security network Amotekun Corps and ensuring it works seamlessly with state police commands and other federal security agencies. The governors have agreed to harmonize operations, training, and patrol routes so that criminals cannot simply move from one state to another to escape arrest. He said intelligence gathering has also improved, with states now pooling information on suspicious movements, hideouts, and patterns of attack. That flow of information is critical because kidnappers and armed groups often operate along boundaries where jurisdictional gaps used to exist. By closing those gaps, the governors believe response times will be faster and communities will feel safer.
The governor also highlighted the importance of partnership with federal security institutions as part of the broader plan. He said the South-West governors have been engaging the federal government to improve the deployment of police officers, provide more modern equipment, and ensure adequate funding for operations across the zone. Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that federal agencies remain the primary custodians of internal security, but added that state governments must play a supportive role by providing logistics, local intelligence, and community cooperation. He noted that when states and the federal government align their efforts, security agencies are better positioned to dominate difficult terrains and respond decisively to threats before they escalate.
His comments come at a time when concerns about insecurity in the South-West have been growing, with reports of kidnappings along major roads, attacks on farmers, and sporadic violence in rural communities. Residents and traditional rulers have repeatedly called for stronger action, especially on highways connecting Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, and other major cities. Aiyedatiwa admitted that the situation remains challenging, but insisted that the governors are not passive observers waiting for Abuja to act. He said the regional approach is already producing results in some areas, with Amotekun and police teams carrying out joint operations that have led to arrests and the rescue of victims. He urged citizens to remain patient and continue supporting security efforts by providing credible information.
The governor emphasized that community involvement is another pillar of the strategy, because security cannot be left to government and uniformed personnel alone. He said traditional rulers, community leaders, vigilante groups, and residents must all see themselves as stakeholders in the fight against crime. When local communities are alert and willing to share information, it becomes harder for criminal gangs to operate undetected. Aiyedatiwa added that the governors are also investing in non-kinetic approaches, including programs aimed at reducing unemployment and poverty, since economic hardship often pushes young people toward crime. He argued that long-term stability will require both strong security measures and improved economic opportunities.
He further explained that the DAWN Commission is playing a coordinating role by helping the states align policies, infrastructure projects, and development plans that indirectly boost security. For example, better road networks, rural electrification, and agricultural support reduce the isolation that criminals exploit. When communities are connected and economically active, the space for illegal activities shrinks. Aiyedatiwa said the governors are deliberate about integrating security planning into every major development decision, because experience has shown that insecurity thrives where development is lacking. That mindset, he believes, distinguishes the current regional approach from past efforts that treated security as a separate issue.
While assuring residents, Aiyedatiwa also cautioned against complacency, noting that criminals are constantly changing tactics and security agencies must adapt quickly. He said the governors are committed to reviewing their strategies regularly and investing in technology like surveillance, drones, and communication systems to stay ahead. He acknowledged that not every incident can be prevented, but promised that the region is building a structure that can respond more effectively when attacks occur. The message he pushed was one of reassurance combined with realism, asking citizens to trust the process while remaining vigilant and supportive.
In closing, the Ondo governor said the unity among South-West governors on security matters sends a strong signal that the region will not tolerate lawlessness. He urged people to see the collaboration as a long-term commitment rather than a short-term reaction to headlines, because lasting peace requires consistency and sacrifice from both leaders and citizens. With Amotekun, federal forces, and communities working on the same page, he expressed confidence that the South-West can reclaim full safety for travelers, farmers, and families. His overall message was that the governors are aware of the fears people face, and they are choosing cooperation over excuses as the path to a safer region.
