States in the South-West region are ramping up security efforts to address the reported influx of bandits and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters fleeing military operations in the North.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, raised the alarm during the 2025 annual inter-faith service in Ibadan, stating that intelligence reports revealed bandits were seeking refuge in the state’s forests. “We will find and deal with them,” Makinde assured, following a state joint security council meeting.
Regional Coordination Against Infiltration
Lagos State Governor and chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is leading consultations with his counterparts in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states to tackle the security concerns. His media aide, Gboyega Akosile, noted that the governors are receiving intelligence reports and are prepared to act decisively to safeguard the region.
In Osun State, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested 10 suspected ISWAP members in Ilesa, thwarting their efforts to establish a base. Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration provided critical support for security agencies, which also intercepted 84 illegal migrants attempting to enter the state.
Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, assured residents that robust measures are in place, urging timely intelligence from boundary communities to aid security efforts.
Call for Grassroots Engagement
Oyo State’s security council plans to integrate traditional rulers and local government chairmen into security operations. Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement, stating, “Security is everybody’s business, and we all have a role to play in keeping our state safe.”
Amotekun and OPC Interventions
Osun’s Amotekun Corps Commander, Adekunle Omoyele, commended the government for its support, citing new patrol vehicles and motorcycles as part of efforts to combat insecurity.
The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) called on the governors to declare the construction of insurgent camps in the region’s forests a security emergency. OPC President Wasiu Afolabi declared the group’s readiness to confront the threat, saying, “We have the capacity to deal with these invaders, but we need the governors’ support.”
United Front
The South-West states are working collaboratively to enhance regional security, using a combination of intelligence gathering, grassroots involvement, and coordinated action. With support from local security outfits and communities, the region aims to address the menace of bandits and insurgents, safeguarding lives and properties.
