The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged South-West governors and the Federal Government to collaborate with his office and the South-West Security Stakeholders Group to end the recurring cases of kidnapping, banditry and other crimes in the geopolitical zone.
Adams made the call in a statement on Friday following the recent assassination of the Alagamo of Agamo, Oba Kehinde Falodun, at his palace in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State by suspected bandits.
The monarch was reportedly killed after resisting attempts by the gunmen to abduct him.
Describing the murder as tragic and embarrassing, Adams said the attack was a grave affront to the values of society.
He expressed readiness to lead the South-West Security Stakeholders Group, which comprises over 30 security-related subgroups, to halt the persistent insecurity in the region.
He said, “The senseless murder of Oba Kehinde Falodun must serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders. Through unity and decisive action, Yorubaland can overcome insecurity and build a peaceful environment conducive to development and prosperity.
“This heinous act has once again highlighted the alarming security challenges confronting Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.
“We reiterate our readiness to collaborate with state governments and the Federal Government to reduce insecurity in our forests, communities and neighbourhoods. It is too embarrassing for a traditional ruler to be killed in such a manner.”
Adams noted that cases of kidnapping and killings in the South-West, as well as in Kogi and Kwara states, indicated infiltration requiring urgent action.
He said, “Only recently, an 85-year-old woman was raped and murdered in Ido, Ibadan, by bandits, and her corpse was deposited at Adeoyo Hospital. There were also kidnappings in Osun State.
“In Ekiti State, a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps operative was seen in a viral video being beaten by terrorists before his eventual abduction. In Ogun State, a bandit masquerading as a beggar attempted to kill an elderly man in Itori with a machete.
“These are in addition to the mindless attacks and kidnappings occurring in several communities in Kwara and Kogi states. At the last count, about seven obas had been killed by bandits across the South-West states and Yoruba-speaking areas of Kwara State.”
Adams called for collaboration between the federal and state governments, traditional institutions and security stakeholders to stem the menace.
“All buffer zones around the region have been encircled, and the South-West states infiltrated. These criminals are now testing our resolve and readiness to stop their attacks,” he added.
He also called for a recalibration of Nigeria’s security architecture, stressing the need for a robust and coordinated framework to address the recurring violence and insecurity in the South-West.
“It is imperative that the federal and state governments respond decisively to this tragedy by strengthening security measures and fostering collaboration with key traditional and security stakeholders,” he said.
