The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has warned that the South-West must urgently address growing security threats following the recent attack on Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where teachers and students were abducted, with one teacher confirmed killed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Adams condemned the attack, describing the incident as disturbing.
“What happened in Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State a few days ago is very sad and highly condemnable,” Adams said on the programme.
“We have had a series of kidnappings in different states, but we have not witnessed mass kidnapping in Yorubaland, and that shows that the Yoruba race in the South-West must prepare for this issue of insecurity.”
The Yoruba leader recalled that he had repeatedly raised concerns about insecurity in the region and had earlier warned that criminal elements had infiltrated some South-West states.
“Precisely, November last year, I mentioned four states that these criminals had infiltrated. I mentioned Ondo State, Ekiti State, Osun State, and Oyo State. And there was a time, particularly, I mentioned Ogun State, but as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, I have limited power to be involved in the security architecture of the country, especially Yorubaland.
“I had written to the South-West governors that there is a need for collaboration on the issue of security; all hands must be on deck on these issues. But for the past two years, they have not replied to me.
“I have poured it out on different media platforms. We held a world press conference on this issue about five months ago that there is a need for the Aare Ona Kakanfo, through the Aare-in-Council and 14 different organisations, not only the Oodua People’s Congress, to collaborate with the government.”
Adams questioned why governors and other stakeholders in the region failed to respond to his calls for cooperation, while lamenting that some people blame him for the worsening insecurity despite his limited constitutional powers.
“I don’t know why they refused, and then people continue to put blame on me. Some thought, ‘Where is the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland? He refused to do something on the issue of insecurity,’” he said.
Bandits invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff, students, and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
Governor Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, confirmed the killing of one of the abducted teachers alongside the kidnapping of other victims and pledged that the government would continue efforts to secure their release.
President Bola Tinubu also assured that all victims abducted during the attack would be rescued, while condemning the killing of the teacher.
Tinubu gave the assurance in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President described the killing of the abducted teacher as barbaric and sympathised with Governor Makinde, the government, and the people of Oyo State over the incident.
