Gani Adams urges Yoruba monarchs to unite against rising insecurity in South-West

A Yoruba socio-cultural group, Yoruba One Voice Worldwide, has called on traditional rulers across Yorubaland to close ranks and present a common front in response to the growing wave of insecurity in the region.

The call was part of resolutions reached at a virtual international conference organised by the group, led by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams. The conference brought together Yoruba organisations, community leaders, professionals, intellectuals, and cultural advocates from Nigeria and the diaspora.

The South-West has recently witnessed a surge in abductions and other forms of terrorism, including an incident in Oyo State where over 40 teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area remain in captivity.

A communiqué issued after the conference noted that the security situation in Yorubaland has deteriorated significantly, with increasing cases of kidnapping, banditry, violent crimes, and attacks on communities.

It advised traditional rulers to set aside their differences and forge a united front, stating that the region’s future security depends on unity of purpose, effective stakeholder collaboration, community participation, and decentralised policing structures capable of responding to local realities.

Participants called on the Federal Government, South-West governors, security agencies, traditional institutions, and community leaders to work together to secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren and prevent further deterioration of security.

They noted that the escalation stemmed from the failure to heed early warnings about the gradual infiltration of bandits into Yorubaland.

The conference reiterated calls for the establishment of state and local government police, urging President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to accelerate legislative action on constitutional reforms for decentralised policing.

It also stressed the importance of community vigilance, improved rural security infrastructure, and continuous public enlightenment.

The event featured a keynote address by retired Major General Ishola Williams on governance, security reforms, and democratic accountability.