The Palace of the Alaafin of Oyo has expressed grave concern over reports of a threatening letter allegedly dropped at the Ira market area, targeting the communities of Ira, Inaja and Aho in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, and vowing to strike “anytime soon.”
According to the Palace, the letter—said to bear a spurious identity—appears designed to intimidate residents and instil fear. The Alaafin strongly condemned the threat, describing it as cowardly and unacceptable, and warned that no Nigerian community should be forced to live under the shadow of terror or face displacement from ancestral lands by faceless criminals.
The Palace noted that Ira occupies a place of deep cultural importance in Yoruba history as the ancestral hometown of the legendary Oya, wife of Sango. It stressed that communities with such heritage—and indeed all communities across Nigeria—deserve to live in peace, dignity and security.
Describing the threats as a direct challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state and an assault on citizens’ fundamental rights, the Alaafin said criminal groups have no right to dictate how people live, where they farm, trade, worship or raise their families. He cautioned against normal reminding insecurity, warning that rumours, threats and unchecked violence must not be allowed to empty villages or shut markets.
The statement acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kwara State Government to tackle insecurity, but urged intensified, sustained and well-coordinated security operations—particularly in rural, forest-border and other vulnerable areas. According to the Palace, protection must be consistent and effective, not occasional or symbolic.
The Alaafin further called for strengthened intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, proactive prevention and closer engagement with local communities and traditional rulers to enable early warning and timely intervention. Clear and steady communication, the statement added, would help calm fears, counter misinformation and reinforce public trust.
Reaffirming solidarity with the people of Ira, Inaja and Aho, the Alaafin urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, cooperate fully with security agencies and report suspicious activities promptly, while avoiding any actions that could undermine the rule of law.
The Palace also disclosed that the Alaafin remains in close consultation with other Yoruba leaders, including the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, as well as royal fathers and community stakeholders nationwide, to ensure coordinated advocacy and support for the affected communities.
Issuing a firm warning to perpetrators and their sponsors, the Alaafin declared that criminals would not be allowed to create no-go areas or rule by fear, stressing that the state must pursue them with lawful force and ensure justice.
The statement concluded with prayers for protection for the people, comfort for families affected by violence, strength for security personnel and enduring peace across all communities.
Signed:
Revd. Dr. Dele Kolade
Personal Assistant to the Alaafin of Oyo
Oyo, Oyo State
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