The Southwest Youths Forum has raised alarm over what it described as a worsening security situation across Nigeria’s Southwest region, warning that the area’s long-standing reputation for peace and stability is increasingly under threat.
The group said incidents such as bandit attacks, kidnappings for ransom, farmer-herder clashes, and the movement of criminal groups into the region are now being reported across Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Lagos states.
In a statement released on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, the forum’s team lead, Olumide Fasubaa, said insecurity had progressed from isolated concerns to direct threats affecting daily life, including farming activities, education, and public movement.
He noted that criminal activities are no longer confined to remote areas but are now visible in forests, highways, farmlands, and residential communities across the zone.
The group referenced recent violent incidents in Oyo State, including an attack in Oriire Local Government Area where armed assailants reportedly killed a teacher and abducted students and school staff.
While acknowledging efforts by the Southwest Governors’ Forum, including proposed regional security funding structures and intelligence-sharing initiatives, the group argued that implementation has been too slow and urged immediate action.
It called on the governors of the six Southwest states to fully activate and fund regional security frameworks, including improved coordination mechanisms and transparent accountability systems.
The forum also recommended strengthening local security arrangements such as vigilante groups and community policing outfits through proper training, logistics support, and legal backing.
It further urged enhanced cooperation between states on intelligence sharing, border monitoring, and rapid response operations, alongside increased protection of schools, highways, and agricultural communities.
Additionally, it encouraged greater involvement of traditional rulers, youth organisations, and civil society in community-based security strategies, while also advocating for stronger decentralised policing structures.
The group emphasised that insecurity reflects governance gaps that require urgent attention and sustained action, stressing the need for stronger leadership and more effective security coordination across the region.
It also expressed readiness to work with government authorities and security agencies to support efforts aimed at restoring safety and stability in the Southwest.
