Naija247news reports that governors from Nigeria’s South-West region have taken a decisive step to address the escalating insecurity plaguing the zone by announcing the formation of a joint surveillance team. The initiative, unveiled during an emergency meeting of the South-West Governors’ Forum in Lagos on Tuesday, aims to curb the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes in the region.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Naija247news, the joint surveillance team will comprise personnel from the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, and community policing units. The team will leverage advanced technology, including drones and satellite imagery, to monitor forests, highways, and border areas, which have become hotspots for criminal activities.
Naija247news gathered that the decision was reached following a closed-door session where governors reviewed recent security reports highlighting the increasing vulnerability of rural communities. Sources within the forum revealed that the governors expressed concerns over the economic impact of insecurity, particularly on agriculture, which remains a major livelihood for residents in the region.
“The joint surveillance team will operate across state lines, ensuring seamless collaboration and intelligence sharing,” a source privy to the meeting told Naija247news. The initiative is also expected to strengthen partnerships with federal security agencies, including the police and the military, to enhance operational efficiency.
Naija247news understands that the move has been widely applauded by stakeholders, including traditional rulers and civil society organizations, who have long called for a unified approach to tackle insecurity in the region. The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, described the initiative as “a timely and necessary intervention to restore peace and confidence among our people.”
However, some security experts have cautioned that the success of the joint surveillance team will depend on adequate funding, training, and the political will to sustain the initiative. Naija247news reports that the governors have pledged to allocate resources from their state budgets to support the team’s operations, with additional funding expected from private sector partners and international donors.
The South-West Governors’ Forum has also called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information on suspicious activities. This community-driven approach, according to the forum, is critical to achieving lasting peace in the region.
As the joint surveillance team prepares to commence operations, all eyes will be on the South-West governors to deliver on their promise of a safer and more secure region.
