Oyo Abductions: Southwest Must Prepare to Address Insecurity — Gani Adams

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has said that the recent abductions and killing of a teacher in Oyo State is a clear warning that the South-West must urgently prepare to confront rising insecurity in the region.

Adams made the statement on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he described the incident in Oriire Local Government Area as disturbing and unacceptable.

“What happened in Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State a few days ago is very sad and highly condemnable,” he said.

He noted that although Nigeria has experienced widespread kidnapping incidents in recent years, the South-West had not previously witnessed mass abductions on such a scale, warning that the region must not be complacent.

“We have had a series of kidnappings in different states, but we have not witnessed mass kidnapping in Yorubaland, and that shows that the Yoruba race in the South-West must prepare for this issue of insecurity,” he said.

Adams recalled that he had earlier raised alarms about the infiltration of criminal elements into several South-West states, including Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, and Ogun.

“Precisely in November last year, I mentioned that these criminals had infiltrated Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States, and at a point I also mentioned Ogun State,” he stated.

He expressed concern that despite repeated warnings and communications to South-West governors, there had been little or no coordinated response.

“I had written to the South-West governors that there is a need for collaboration on the issue of security, but for the past two years, they have not replied to me,” he said.

The Yoruba leader said he had also made public appeals through media platforms and convened a press conference months ago calling for stronger regional security cooperation involving traditional institutions, local groups, and government agencies.

Adams, however, said his role as Aare Ona Kakanfo limits his direct involvement in formal security architecture, stressing the need for stronger government-led coordination.

He urged South-West leaders to work collectively to address the growing security threats, warning that failure to act decisively could worsen the situation.

The comments come amid renewed concern following the abduction of teachers, pupils, and staff from schools in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.