The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on South-West governors and the Federal Government to collaborate with his office and the South-West Security Stakeholders Group to tackle rising insecurity in the region.
Adams made the appeal on Friday following the assassination of the Alagamo of Agamo, Oba Kehinde Falodun, at his palace in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State by suspected bandits. The monarch was reportedly killed after resisting an attempted abduction.
Describing the attack as tragic and embarrassing, Adams said it highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action against kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes in Yorubaland.
He expressed readiness to lead the South-West Security Stakeholders Group, which comprises over 30 security-related subgroups, to curb the menace.
“The senseless murder of Oba Kehinde Falodun must serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders,” Adams said.
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“Through unity and decisive action, Yorubaland can overcome insecurity and build a peaceful environment conducive to development and prosperity.”
He cited recent incidents across the region, including the rape and murder of an 85-year-old woman in Ido, Ibadan, kidnappings in Osun State, an abduction of a NSCDC operative in Ekiti State, and attacks in Ogun, Kwara, and Kogi states.
Adams noted that about seven traditional rulers had been killed by bandits across the South-West and Yoruba-speaking areas of Kwara State.
Adams urged the federal and state governments to strengthen security measures and work closely with traditional institutions and security stakeholders to halt further attacks.
He also called for a recalibration of Nigeria’s security architecture to ensure a robust and coordinated framework for addressing violence in the South-West.