Ibadan, Oyo – In a bold move to address rising security threats in Nigeria's South West region, governors from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States have called for stricter border monitoring and enhanced identification measures to tackle unregulated interstate migration.

The resolution, part of a broader communiqué issued after their forum meeting on Monday, highlights growing concerns that unchecked movement between states is fueling criminal activities, including banditry and kidnappings.

The South West Governors’ Forum, convened at the Governor’s Office Secretariat in Ibadan, emphasized the need for each state to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to implement robust data collection and self-identification protocols. This initiative aims to ensure proper verification of individuals crossing state lines, preventing migration from becoming a "conduit for insecurity," as stated in the communiqué.

"Governors are deeply concerned about the unregulated interstate migration posing significant challenges," the forum noted, underscoring how such movements have exacerbated regional vulnerabilities.

By intensifying security collaboration, the states plan to share intelligence and coordinate responses, building on existing frameworks like the Amotekun Corps.

The push for these measures comes amid a review of recent national security incidents, including kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States.

The forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration for its swift actions in rescuing abductees from a government school in Kebbi and a Catholic institution in Niger, while expressing solidarity with federal efforts against insecurity.

Beyond migration, the governors outlined several other resolutions to bolster regional stability:

– Establishment of a South West Security Fund (SWSF): Administered by the DAWN Commission and overseen by special advisers on security from each state, the fund will support monthly meetings to address ongoing threats.

– Joint Intelligence-Sharing Platform: A digital system for real-time exchange of threat notifications, incident logs, and alerts on travelers and cargo among the six states.

– Enhanced Forest Surveillance: Calling on the federal government to deploy forest guards, with states providing personnel, to reclaim forest belts used as hideouts by criminals. The forum praised the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, hunters, and Amotekun for their current efforts.

– Crackdown on Illegal Mining: Expressing alarm over environmental and security risks from unlicensed mining, the governors urged a stronger licensing framework and enforcement to prevent violent crimes disguised as mining operations.

The forum also applauded President Tinubu's broader economic reforms and developmental agenda, reaffirming their commitment to regional development in agriculture and economy.

Analysts view the migration-focused resolutions as a proactive step in a region grappling with porous internal borders.

"This could set a precedent for inter-state cooperation on identity management," said a security expert in Lagos, noting potential integration with NIMC's national database.

As implementation details unfold, the governors' emphasis on migration control signals a shift toward data-driven security, aiming to protect lives and property while fostering economic growth in the South West.