Southwest Stakeholders Unite to Demand State Police as Insecurity Worsens

The Senate-organized Southwest Zonal Security Summit in Lagos, ended with renewed calls from stakeholders for local security solutions, better policing technology, and the establishment of state police to combat rising insecurity.

The summit, held on Friday and chaired by Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), gathered security experts, traditional rulers, senior government officials, and civil society groups.

As part of the 10th Senate’s National Security Summit series, Senator Abiru stressed the need for urgent action against rising criminal activities and terrorism.

Although the South-West hasn’t faced terrorism as severely as other regions, he warned that banditry, kidnapping, and violent crime are increasing.

He noted that villages, farmlands, and highways are becoming unsafe, citing recent attacks in parts of Kwara and Kogi as clear warning signs.

The senator urged Nigerians to see security as everybody’s responsibility and stressed that the South-West must not become a safe place for criminals.

He also urged the media to promote unity and avoid ethnic or religious bias in their reporting.

In his contribution, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said Lagos remains committed to building a strong security system.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, called for a unified regional security strategy that would strengthen intelligence sharing and joint operations among states.

He said insecurity affects peace, slows economic growth and reduces investment and job opportunities.

Various stakeholders at the summit proposed diverse strategies for improving national security.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) and Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) underscored the necessity of multi-level cooperation, with Ibrahim specifically calling for joint military and civilian participation in fighting terrorism.

Also speaking at the occasion, Lagos Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh emphasized that effective security must start at the grassroots with strong community involvement.

Persecondnews reports that traditional rulers, represented by the Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, advocated for community policing, better equipping security agencies, and youth empowerment to curb crime, noting that weak local structures currently impede federal efforts.

On his part, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, reiterated the strong need for state police, while other groups (including civil society, youth, women, and religious leaders) pushed for better welfare and motivation for security officers.