The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) commends the visionary and coordinated security initiative unveiled by the South-West Governors during their recent meeting in Ibadan, where they jointly launched the South West Security Fund (SWSF) and a real-time digital security platform to enhance intelligence-sharing and collaboration across all six states of the region.
This decisive move marks a major milestone in subnational security innovation, demonstrating responsible leadership and a proactive commitment to safeguarding citizens.
The South-West has now set a national standard for regional security cooperation.
FOSAD believes this success story carries urgent lessons for the South-East.
For years, the South-East has faced worsening insecurity ranging from violent attacks, kidnapping, community clashes, to the breakdown of social and economic activities in some areas.
The absence of a unified regional security architecture has made the region vulnerable, weakened law enforcement operations, and allowed violent non-state actors to exploit existing gaps between states.
It is in this context that FOSAD strongly urges the five governors of the South-East; Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo to immediately emulate the South-West model by adopting the following:
1. Establish a South-East Joint Security Fund (SEJSF)
A dedicated and ring-fenced security fund, jointly managed by the Special Advisers on Security from each of the five states, will ensure:
• predictable financing for security operations
• coordinated deployment of security personnel
• improved equipment, surveillance tools, and logistics
• strategic planning and long-term crime prevention
Security must not depend on ad-hoc allocations or political discretion. A regional fund will guarantee stability, accountability, and faster response to emerging threats.
2. Launch a South-East Digital Security and Intelligence Platform
The South-West governors have shown that technology is central to modern security management. A regional digital hub for intelligence-sharing will help:
• track suspicious movement across state borders
• coordinate rescue operations
• monitor road corridors where kidnapping is rampant
• detect early-warning signals before violence escalates
• improve collaboration between state security outfits and federal agencies
Criminals exploit regional disunity. A digital platform will close those gaps.
3. Strengthen and harmonize the South-East security outfit (Ebubeagu/other models)
Regional security outfits in the South-East remain fragmented, underfunded, and poorly coordinated. A unified command structure backed by a joint fund can revitalize operational capacity and restore public confidence.
4. Demonstrate political will and regional unity
The South-West model works because the governors operate as one bloc—placing security above political differences.
The South-East deserves the same level of collective responsibility.
Regional insecurity has decimated businesses, weakened investor confidence, driven away industries, disrupted education, and inflicted deep psychological trauma on residents. The region cannot continue relying on fragmented state-level solutions to an increasingly regional problem.
The time for talk is over. The people of the South-East demand action, coordination, and innovation. If the South-West can unite to protect their region, the South-East must not remain an exception.
Our future economically, socially, and politically depends on the security of our people.
FOSAD stands ready to provide research support, policy advice, and technical expertise to assist in designing a robust regional security framework.
Security is a collective responsibility. The South-East must rise to the challenge.
Signed:
Dr. Stephen Nwala
President, Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD)
Dr. Uzor Ngoladi
Secretary General, Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD)
