South West security alert issued by Aare Onakakanfo Gani Adams warns of suspected terrorist infiltration; urges community-led security structures

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has raised a fresh South West security alert after intelligence suggested that suspected terrorists may be attempting to enter the region through Idoani in Ondo State and the Iyamoye forest area in Ekiti State.

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Speaking at the 2025 Ajagunmale Festival in Ibeju-Lekki, Adams described the reports as disturbing, alleging that criminal elements linked to recent kidnappings and violent attacks are planning a coordinated infiltration from the Middle Belt axis.

The Yoruba generalissimo warned that these developments echo what he described as drumbeats of war, citing rising banditry and terrorism across the Southwest, as well as in neighbouring Kwara and Kogi States.

Addressing traditional rulers, government officials, and cultural stakeholders, Adams called for the immediate activation of community-driven security structures in all Southwest states.

He proposed recruiting approximately 300 community security personnel per local government area, to be supervised by retired security officers.

According to the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) national coordinator, the initiative is financially feasible.

Each local government currently receives not less than N450 million in federal allocations, while the community security network could operate on a monthly budget of about N40 million, including a minimum salary of N50,000 for each recruit.

Adams emphasised that the proposed network would operate within Nigerian law and act as a frontline defence against coordinated attacks.

He also cautioned that over-reliance on federal security agencies could be risky given the current vulnerabilities in the nation’s security architecture.

Highlighting the drivers of insecurity, Adams pointed to religious extremism, ethnic tensions, and economic sabotage.

He urged traditional rulers to hold weekly security review meetings to strengthen grassroots vigilance and prevent the region from descending into prolonged conflict similar to crises in other countries.

Addressing religious sensitivities, Adams stressed that terrorist activities should not be interpreted as extensions of Islamic beliefs.

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He called for unity among Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists under the leadership of Yoruba traditional rulers to confront the escalating security challenges in the Southwest.