The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Global Convener of Yoruba One Voice (YOV), Iba Gani Adams, has raised fresh concerns over the worsening security situation across Yorubaland, warning that banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes are taking dangerous dimensions in the region.
Adams spoke on Sunday while delivering a keynote address at the Yoruba One Voice International Virtual Conference themed “Changing Face of Insecurity in Yorubaland.”
Addressing participants from different parts of the world, the Yoruba leader described the May 15 abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as a defining moment in the security history of the South-West.
He said the incident represented the first major case of mass school kidnapping carried out by bandits in Yorubaland, signalling the spread of a security challenge previously associated with parts of northern Nigeria into the South-West.
“The sad event marked the first time that mass kidnapping by bandits and terrorists occurred in Yorubaland in Southwest Nigeria. It took insecurity to another dimension in the region,” Adams stated.
The YOV convener noted that the affected communities are largely agrarian settlements with limited security presence, making them vulnerable to attacks by criminal elements.
He expressed concern over what he described as the gradual infiltration of bandits into Yoruba-speaking areas of Kwara and Kogi states before extending their activities into other parts of the South-West.
Adams cited several cases of kidnappings in Kogi and Kwara states involving worshippers, traditional rulers and construction workers, adding that some communities have been deserted as residents flee persistent attacks.
The Yoruba leader criticised authorities for allegedly failing to act on repeated warnings he had issued over the years about the growing presence of armed groups operating in forests and border communities across the region.
“I have repeatedly warned over the years of the gradual infiltration and looming overrun of our region by these bandits. Unfortunately, the warnings were ignored,” he said.
Adams renewed his call for the establishment of state and local government police, arguing that Nigeria’s centralised security structure has struggled to effectively address local security threats.
“The current centralised policing structure has shown limitations in effectively addressing localised threats. It is now highly important that we establish State and Local Government Police forces in Nigeria,” he added.
He said decentralised policing would enhance intelligence gathering, improve community confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo urged President Bola Tinubu and members of the National Assembly to urgently pursue constitutional and legislative reforms that would allow the creation of state police across the country.
He also appealed to governors in the South-West to strengthen cooperation with grassroots security organisations under the Southwest Security Stakeholders’ Group (SSSG), a coalition comprising about 14 security-related groups.
According to him, the group includes the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Society, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Professional Hunters Association and other community-based security outfits.
Adams maintained that stronger collaboration between governments, security agencies and local security groups would help curb the rising threats of banditry and terrorism in the region.
He concluded by calling on Yoruba people to unite against insecurity, stressing that the future of the region depends on collective responsibility, effective policing and stronger partnerships among stakeholders.
“Together, we can transform the changing face of insecurity into a future of peace, progress and prosperity,” he said.
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