By Oludamisi Ojo
Governors of the Southwest at the weekend deliberated extensively on the rising wave of insecurity in the country, especially in the South West.
They decided on some measures, capable of stemming the tide of banditry, kidnapping, and terror attacks in the region.
The governors particularly decried the recent attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo, stressing quick intervention in the whole of the South West to nip the insidious insurgency in the bud.
The virtual meeting, consequently, took decisions, some of which are expected to have far-reaching implications in the quest to protect lives and property in the region.
The meeting deliberated on issues that pose a great risk to the collective well-being of the people and resolved as follows:
In a communique signed by six, the governors including Oluwarotimi Akeredolu(Ondo) Gboyega Oyetola(Osun) Kayode Fayemi( Ekiti) Dapo Abiodun(Ogun) Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos) and Seyi Makinde(Oyo)condemned in very strong terms, the horrendous crime perpetrated by Terrorist against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State, and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South West.
The Governors sympathize with the victims of the mindless attack in Owo and agreed to declare a three-day mourning period in memory of the victims of St Francis Catholic, Owaluwa Street, Owo, Ondo State, starting from Monday, June to Wednesday, June 15, 202,2 to symbolize their collective loss across all South Western States in Nigeria.
The meeting agreed that all the Governors should direct the flying of Flags at Half Mast in all public buildings, facilities, and official residences across all the States in the South West in honor of the victims of the Owo terror attack.
They noted, with disgust the increasing agitations about spaces taken over by unidentified and unknown migrants in all South West States.
The meeting, therefore, recommended an increase in the scope of surveillance of the activities of these undocumented settlers by relevant security agencies in all the States.
The Governors, as Chief Security Officers, resolved to continue to assist the security agencies in the areas of crisis management and intelligence gathering at all times.
They reviewed reports from various States on the factors militating against peace and security in the region and expressed grave concern about the influx of Okada riders into all parts of the South West, especially the State capitals.
Owo massacre: Akeredolu extends mourning period in Ondo
The meeting further resolved that efforts would be geared towards identity management of Okada riders and stringent regulations put in place for their operation.
The Forum consequently decided to reconvene the South West Security Committee to look critically into this creeping menace before it blossoms into another intractable social problem.
The Committee will be expected to submit its findings on the desirability of Okada operations in the region and also submit a multi-level template to combat the threat of insurgency and terrorism in the region.
The Forum also agreed to convene forthwith a physical meeting of the South West Governors to deliberate on the security challenges confronting the region.
