Leaders from the South-West, under the umbrella of the South-West Security Stakeholders Summit, have expressed strong support for the creation of state police and the introduction of the death penalty for kidnappers as part of a broader strategy to address rising insecurity across the region.
The summit, themed “Towards a United Front Against Insecurity in Yorubaland,” was held at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in Lagos and convened by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, alongside other prominent Yoruba leaders.
In a communiqué signed by Gani Adams, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, and Amitolu Shittu, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to confronting the security challenges affecting communities in the South-West. They emphasized the need for a coordinated, inclusive approach to crime prevention, conflict management, and restoring peace across Yorubaland.
The group warned of an ongoing threat posed by extremist groups, stating that attempts to dominate sub-Saharan West Africa through violent conquest remain persistent. They described kidnapping and banditry as a multi-layered menace designed to instill fear, generate funds for armed groups, and pave the way for displacement and occupation of Yoruba ancestral lands.
The communiqué called for the immediate establishment of state police across all South-West states, with recruitment focused on indigenous personnel and individuals with proven backgrounds in security and public safety.
It further recommended that state police structures in Yorubaland blend traditional community-based security methods with advanced technologies such as drones, UAVs, and remote surveillance systems.
The leaders also proposed the creation of a global talent-based volunteer programme that would allow skilled Yoruba professionals in the diaspora to contribute to policing efforts through structured, merit-based roles, especially in areas requiring technical expertise.
To improve morale and efficiency, they urged South-West governments to enhance the welfare of local security operatives through an independent Security Welfare Fund supported by citizens and the diaspora community. They also advised establishing a non-partisan, non-profit project under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) to supplement the welfare needs of operatives.
The summit called for an immediate and total ban on open grazing throughout Yorubaland. It recommended that cattle transportation within and across states be done exclusively by vehicles or rail, while state governments should enact laws supporting the development of cattle ranches as the primary system for livestock production. The Bank of Agriculture, they said, should provide support for private investors in ranching.
The communique also urged the Federal Government to construct protective barriers along Nigeria’s borders with Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic as a security measure.
The leaders declared their support for foreign assistance to combat kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists, provided Nigeria’s sovereignty and international laws are upheld.
They appealed to all Yoruba communities, especially the youth, to work closely with security agencies in ongoing counter-offensive efforts against kidnappers, bandits, extremist groups, and other criminal elements.
Additionally, the summit advised South-West governors to collaborate with traditional rulers and Yoruba leaders in Kwara and Kogi states for enhanced security coordination. They emphasized that traditional rulers require constitutionally backed roles in intelligence gathering and community-level security management.
