Southern Governors Meet Over Security

Seventeen governors from southern Nigeria have gathered in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, as insecurity continues to rise across the country.

The meeting is taking place at the private residence of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who also serves as the chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum.

Abiodun announced the gathering in a post on his X handle, adding that the governors will also hold a joint session with the Southern Traditional Rulers Council to strengthen cooperation between traditional and political authorities and to address issues affecting the region.

“As we prepare to host the Southern Governors’ Forum meeting today, we were pleased to welcome some of the distinguished participants, including traditional rulers and respected leaders from across the southern region,” the post read.

He noted that their visit provided an opportunity to strengthen ongoing discussions and align expectations ahead of the meeting. He emphasised the value of the traditional rulers and regional leaders, whose guidance and wisdom continue to support the forum’s efforts.

Abiodun added that, as host, he remains committed to creating an enabling environment that supports open dialogue and stronger collaboration among all stakeholders, with the shared goal of promoting peace, stability, and development in the region and the country at large.

Wednesday’s meeting comes two days after South-West governors convened in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to express concern over kidnappings, terrorism, and other violent crimes affecting various parts of Nigeria.

The governors are meeting against the backdrop of fresh abductions in Kebbi and Niger States, where schoolchildren were kidnapped by bandits, alongside the abduction of church worshippers in Kwara.

The South-West governors also reviewed ongoing joint security initiatives, particularly the operations of the Amotekun Corps, with plans to strengthen its capacity in response to emerging threats.

In February, the governors agreed to establish a joint surveillance unit to tackle terrorism and to introduce measures aimed at reducing food inflation.

Last week, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, claimed that terrorists and bandits had infiltrated forests in the South-West and were planning coordinated attacks.