The South-West of Nigeria has taken a decisive step toward building one of the most coordinated, intelligence-driven security systems in the country. At a high-level meeting in Ibadan, governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti jointly approved the creation of the South-West Security Fund (SWSF) and a Digital Joint Security Platform—two complementary mechanisms designed to transform regional safety, streamline intelligence sharing, and choke criminal networks across state borders.
This marks the strongest security collaboration the region has seen since the launch of Amotekun in 2020, and positions the South-West as a national leader in modern subnational security architecture.
A Dedicated Security Purse: South-West Security Fund (SWSF)
Under the new agreement, each state will contribute a fixed amount into a ring-fenced regional security fund, with strict rules ensuring that the resources are used exclusively for safety and enforcement operations. Special Advisers on Security from the six states will manage the fund jointly, meeting monthly to review spending, incidents, and performance metrics.
This predictable funding stream solves a longstanding problem: irregular or politically delayed financing that hampers operational capacity. With the SWSF in place, states can now plan multi-year equipment purchases, training schedules, and technological investments.
Financial analysts estimate that if each state commits even ₦3–₦5 billion annually, the region could pool ₦18–₦30 billion—enough to build a sophisticated security infrastructure comparable to mid-size national agencies in Africa.
Real-Time Digital Platform: A Shared Eye Across 6 States
Criminals have historically exploited Nigeria’s state boundaries—committing crimes in one location and escaping to another. The new interconnected digital security platform directly targets that loophole.
How it will work:
Each state will upload intelligence, incident reports, CCTV feeds, drone footage, and emergency alerts in real time.
If a threat emerges in Ibadan, security units in Lagos, Osun, or Ogun can see it instantly.
Patterns such as kidnapping routes, suspicious convoys, or cross-border gang movements become visible across the region.
Amotekun, police, DSS, and transport monitoring units can coordinate without bureaucratic delays.
This system mirrors security models used in advanced countries, where connected intelligence networks significantly reduce response time and improve predictive policing.
A Major Win for the Region
Security experts say this collaboration is the most comprehensive subnational effort in Nigeria to date.
Its benefits are immediate and practical:
■ Faster Response
Real-time alerts mean teams can intercept criminals before attacks spread.
■ United Front
The six states now operate as one security bloc—reducing fragmentation and inefficiencies.
■ Better Resourcing
A steady security budget ensures proper equipment, fuel supply, surveillance tools, and officer welfare.
■ Criminal Containment
Interstate escape routes—popular among armed bandits and kidnappers—will shrink dramatically.
■ Stronger Intelligence
Shared data improves accuracy, reduces duplicate efforts, and strengthens forensic capabilities.
■ Safer Environment for Business
Investors place high value on predictable and safe environments, and the South-West is positioning itself as the country’s most secure zone.
Controlling Migration and Monitoring Movement—A Necessary Next Step
The South-West’s economic strength continues to attract thousands of migrants weekly, including legitimate workers—and occasionally criminal elements who blend into the population.
To strengthen the new security framework, states should adopt non-discriminatory, rights-respecting migration management tools, including:
✓ Regional Migrant Registration System
Not for harassment, but for documentation, resource planning, and safety.
All new migrants register at designated centres.
Basic biodata, photographs, occupation, and contact information are captured.
Registered migrants receive a smart ID card—not a “tracking chip” but a secure, scannable digital card similar to international resident permits.
Employers, landlords, and local councils can verify identities quickly.
This protects both residents and law-abiding migrants.
Coordinated Border Monitoring
Local border points connecting Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Delta, and the North must be equipped with:
smart cameras
number-plate recognition systems
handheld biometric scanners
This ensures suspicious movements are flagged early.
Expanding Technology Use: Drones, Sensors, Smart Surveillance
With a security fund now guaranteed, the South-West can adopt modern tools that many national police forces worldwide rely on.
● Drone Surveillance Units
Equipped with night vision and heat sensors, drones can monitor forests, highways, border communities, and known kidnapping corridors.
This is crucial because over 65% of security incidents in the region occur in remote or semi-forested areas.
● CCTV and Safe City Projects
Lagos already leads in this area—but similar networks in Ibadan, Akure, Ado-Ekiti, Abeokuta, and Osogbo would unify the region’s visual intelligence.
● Crime Data Analytics
A regional database can analyze:
repeat offenders
geographic crime patterns
seasonal trends
suspicious travel sequences
This enables prevention, not just response.
● Community Intelligence Networks
Digital platforms where community members anonymously report suspicious activities can dramatically expand the intelligence pool.
Policy and Training: Building a Professional Regional Force
The region’s security success will depend not just on funding and tech, but on training and discipline. Suggested priorities include:
Joint annual training exercises for Amotekun and police
Standard use-of-force guidelines across states
Psychological evaluation for officers
Modern counter-kidnapping and counter-terrorism courses
Anti-corruption mechanisms to prevent compromise
With consistent policies, the South-West can avoid uneven quality across states.
The South-West as Nigeria’s Security Benchmark
With this new initiative, the region is moving toward a self-reliant, technologically advanced, intelligence-driven security ecosystem. It is becoming the model for what subnational collaboration can achieve in Nigeria.
If executed effectively—with transparency, accountability, and community engagement—the South-West could become the safest region in the country, giving residents confidence, attracting investment, and showcasing Nigerian federalism at its best.
The message is clear: security is now regional, digital, coordinated, and strategic—and the South-West intends to stay ahead.
Dr. G. Fraser. MFR
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
