South West Governors

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has given governors in the six Southwest states of Nigeria the nod to inaugurate a joint regional security outfit code-named Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN).

The Approval in Principle given by the ONSA would enable the zone to establish a Joint Task Force (JTF) to help in tackling killings, banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges in the Southwest.

This is coming on the heels of the agreement reached by the governors during the security summit which they held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital in July where they resolved to defend their domain.

A source close to the project told The Nation on Sunday that the six governors of the region have already procured the patrol vans to be used by the outfit in readiness for the launch of the outfit in October.

According to the source, the WNSN will be made up of unconventional security personnel, including local hunters and members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) as well as other related personnel.

They are expected to collaborate with traditional rulers in the region and relate with the Police on specific engagements, including prosecution of arrested suspects so as to ensure that they operate within the ambits of the law.

The WNSN members are also to comb forests as well as monitor activities in urban neighbourhoods to support the conventional security operatives.