Governors of Nigeria’s six south-west states on Monday approved the creation of a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) and a joint intelligence-sharing system as part of new measures to confront worsening insecurity in the region.

The governors met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to discuss agriculture, economic cooperation and security threats. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who chairs the forum, said the security fund would be domiciled in the DAWN Commission and managed by the security advisers of all six states.

They also agreed to launch a digital, real-time intelligence platform to allow Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states to share threat alerts, incident reports, traveller and cargo advisories, and to coordinate rapid cross-border responses.

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The governors urged the federal government to strengthen surveillance of forest belts across the region, which they said had become hideouts for kidnappers and other criminal groups. They called on Abuja to deploy forest guards while state governments supply personnel.

“The governors reaffirm their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests and ensuring these spaces no longer serve as safe corridors for banditry, kidnapping or any form of criminal activity,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The forum expressed concern over unregulated interstate migration and said states would increase joint patrols and information-sharing to ensure it does not become a channel for insecurity.

They also reiterated support for the establishment of state police, saying “the time is now” for the federal government to approve it.

Other attendees included Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adeusi.