Why South-West governors must act now on terror alerts

Yoruba Generalissimo Raises Alarm Over Influx of Terrorists

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has raised the alarm that no fewer than 40 local government areas across the South-West geopolitical zone have been infiltrated by terrorists.

Speaking in an interview following last Friday’s attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, which left two people dead and several teachers and students abducted, Adams disclosed that intelligence reports had documented the presence of terrorist cells across the region.

He noted that the attackers in Oyo State have sent a grim message, with one abducted teacher reportedly beheaded, and suggested that the kidnappers may be adopting tactics similar to the Chibok girls case, given that most of the abducted pupils are female.

Collaboration With Government Remains Stalled

Adams revealed that his office had attempted to collaborate with state governments on security matters over the past two years, but those efforts had been rebuffed.

“We kept that document to ourselves because we were more confident that working with state governments would yield results compared to working with law enforcement agents,” he said, referring to intelligence reports identifying vulnerable areas.

He disclosed that as far back as November last year, he raised an alert during the Ajagunmale Festival in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, warning that terrorists had moved from Kogi State to attack Ondo and Ekiti states. Subsequently, a traditional ruler was killed in Ondo about two months ago.

Adams also warned that Lagos State could be next, stating that intelligence received three days ago indicated an influx of terrorists into a cattle market along the Lagos-Ogun boundary.

Security Groups Ready But Restricted

The Yoruba generalissimo explained that while 14 organisations under the South-West Security Stakeholders’ Group, including the Oodua People’s Congress and Agbekoya Society, have the structure and capacity to confront the terrorists, they lack authorisation from state governments.

He noted that moving armed men into any state without government approval would be treated as a security threat, with operatives facing prosecution for illegal possession of arms.

Adams also pointed out that the Amotekun Corps, established by South-West states, has been denied the authority to carry sophisticated firearms by the Federal Government, limiting its effectiveness against heavily armed terrorists.

Hunters and Local Groups Face Limitations

Adams acknowledged that local hunters who attempted to rescue victims after the Oriire attack had to retreat when confronted with superior firepower.

“The power of the hunters is limited. Most of the hunters are not like our native hunters, who had spiritual potential like the hunters of old in Yorubaland,” he explained.

He called for proper coordination through recognised leadership structures rather than local government chairmen hiring hunters and OPC members without proper oversight.

Call for State Police

Adams reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, noting that President Bola Tinubu had previously expressed readiness for it. He questioned what was delaying its implementation.

He also expressed frustration that forest guards had been created and equipped with sophisticated weapons like AK-47 rifles within two months of being proposed, while Amotekun remained restricted.

Warning of Potential Economic Collapse

Adams warned that the South-West remains Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, contributing 60 to 70 per cent of the nation’s economic potential. He cautioned that if the region experiences the level of insecurity seen in the North-East and North-West, the national economy could collapse.

He urged state governments to take traditional rulers’ security summits seriously, noting that only one deputy governor attended the last summit convened in Ile-Ife two years ago.

What Next?

Adams stated that while his office is prepared to mobilise for battle, he awaits the instruction of South-West governors before taking any action, as operating outside the law would repeat the mistakes made during the early days of the OPC.

“The authorities must brace up. They must realise that all hands must be on deck to make sure our region is safe,” he said.