Governor Seyi Makine and other Southwest governors are set to launch a joint regional security outfit codenamed Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN).
According to a report by The Nation, the security outfit has received Approval in Principle given by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The essence of Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) is to establish a Joint Task Force (JTF) to tackle killings, banditry and kidnapping in the Southwest.
Source closed to the project confided in The Nation on Sunday that the six governors had procured the patrol vans to be used by the outfit in readiness for the launch by October.
The Nation added that the source said the vehicles would be used in each state as branches of the regional outfit with a regional management team to coordinate its activities across the region.
The regional management team would ensure exchange of intelligence and sharing of experiences for maximum performance.
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 will work with traditional rulers and relate with the police on specific engagements, including prosecution of arrested suspects. Their relationship with the police is also to ensure that they operate within the ambits of the law.
InsideOyo.com reports after the security summit organised Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission on behalf of the governors in July, there have been ideas on how to develop a regional blueprint to tackle the growing concern.