Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged residents and communities across the South-West to remain vigilant and on high alert in response to growing security threats in the region.
Adams made the call on Tuesday during the 2025 Ajagunmale Festival held in Lagos.
He warned against the rising incidents of kidnappings, killings, and banditry, stressing the need for communities to prepare for any eventuality. He specifically appealed to residents of Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti states, which he said could be potential targets of coordinated attacks.
According to him, intelligence reports suggest possible infiltration routes through Idoani in Ondo State and the Iyamoye forest area in Ekiti State.
To boost grassroots vigilance, Adams proposed the establishment of a Community Security Network across all local government areas in the South-West and other neighbouring states facing similar threats. He recommended recruiting about 300 personnel per local government, supported by 20 retired security officers who would serve as coordinators.
He argued that local governments which he claimed now receive at least N450 million monthly in federal allocations can fund the estimated N40 million required monthly to operate such a security structure.
Adams said local government chairmen should be encouraged to employ the personnel and pay them at least N50,000 monthly, while ensuring the units are equipped within the limits of Nigerian law.
Expressing concern over the capacity of federal security agencies to manage emerging threats, Adams alleged infiltration by criminal elements. He warned that external support might eventually be required, describing the security challenge as a combination of religious, ethnic, and economic motives.
He urged traditional rulers to convene weekly security review meetings with all key stakeholders in their communities.
Addressing concerns about religious profiling, Adams appealed to Yoruba Muslims not to view the actions of violent groups as representative of Islam, insisting the perpetrators’ motives transcend religion. He called for unity among Christians, Muslims, and adherents of Traditional Religion to “spiritually and strategically protect the region from attacks.”
Reassuring the public, Adams cited the historical resilience of Yorubaland, vowing that the region would not experience the kind of large-scale devastation seen in parts of the North-East and North-Central.
“We have never experienced a situation whereby the entire Yorubaland is conquered and overrun. And it will not happen in our time, by the grace of God,” he said.
He urged communities to promptly report unknown individuals or suspicious movements to the appropriate authorities to prevent a breakdown of law and order.