Leaders from the South-West zone, under the umbrella of South-West Security Stakeholders Summit, have endorsed the establishment of state policing and the imposition of death sentence for convicted kidnappers — moves they believe are necessary to curb the growing wave of insecurity in the region.
At the summit, held at 10 Degrees Event Centre, traditional, community, and security stakeholders led by Iba Gani Adams declared their readiness to support a more locally rooted security architecture. They called for state-level police forces staffed by indigenous recruits, strengthened through modern technology such as drones, UAVs, and other surveillance tools, alongside robust welfare packages for operatives.
The communique from the summit described kidnapping and banditry as “a hydra-headed monster” aiming to instill fear, destabilize communities, and facilitate control over fertile and mineral-rich lands. The leaders expressed concerns that these crimes are being exploited to further extremist agendas in the region.
Immediate creation of state police units across all South-West states, with recruitment of indigenous people and support for diaspora-based volunteer professionals.
Legal reforms to ensure that convicted kidnappers face the death penalty, and dismantling of kidnapping networks through stronger law enforcement and intelligence-driven operations.
Ban on open grazing across Yorubaland and shift toward regulated cattle ranching and structured means of transporting livestock.
Engagement of traditional rulers in constitutional-level roles for intelligence-gathering and community security across their domains.
