The governors of Nigeria’s south-west region convened a closed-door emergency meeting on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, to address rising insecurity in the zone, including the recent surge in kidnappings and other criminal activities.
The meeting, hosted at the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, alongside Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti). Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy.
Though official details of the discussions have not been released, a government source familiar with the agenda said the meeting focused on enhancing regional security, fast-tracking infrastructural development, and strengthening integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
The governors were also expected to review ongoing collaborative security initiatives, particularly the operations of the Amotekun Corps, with a view to boosting its capacity in the face of emerging threats.
The meeting comes in the wake of recent nationwide security challenges, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states and the kidnapping of church worshippers in Kwara State.
These incidents have heightened concerns over the spread of criminal networks across the country.
This emergency session follows previous south-west security meetings, where governors have sought to coordinate regional responses, improve intelligence sharing, and reinforce the operational effectiveness of Amotekun.
The outcome of Monday’s meeting is anticipated to shape immediate security interventions in the south-west and further strengthen the region’s collaborative approach to tackling crime.
Further updates are expected as the governors conclude their deliberations.
