Alaafin Urges Gani Adams to Engage Traditional Rulers on Yorubaland Insecurity

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has called upon the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, to initiate broad consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to address the escalating wave of insecurity in Yorubaland. This directive, issued from the palace, emphasizes the urgent need for practical, community-based interventions that can bolster existing security apparatus, particularly in intelligence gathering and early warning systems.

The monarch's call comes in the wake of several violent incidents that have instilled fear across the region. These include the recent killing of five Nigeria Park Service officers at the Old Oyo National Park and the deaths of four farmers in Igboho. The abduction of a nursing mother and her child in Ondo State further underscores the precarious security situation. The Alaafin's statement highlights that these actions must align with the Nigerian Constitution and lawful security operations, underscoring the importance of a coordinated and legal approach.

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I also advise the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, to commence wide-ranging consultations for local and traditional interventions with traditional rulers, community leaders, and key stakeholders to stem the wave of insecurity in Yorubaland.

Oba Owoade also stressed the critical role of transparent communication between authorities and affected communities. He noted that visible leadership and timely information are essential for preventing panic, fostering trust, and strengthening collective responses to security challenges. The Alaafin's engagement, including recent interactions with the traditional ruler of Jebba, reflects a firm resolve that the protection of lives and property is paramount and cannot be compromised. This proactive stance by a prominent Yoruba monarch signals a deep concern for the region's well-being and a commitment to leveraging traditional structures in the fight against crime and instability, a perspective often prioritized within local governance in Nigeria.

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The Alaafin also urges authorities at all levels to maintain constant, transparent communication with affected communities, as visible leadership and timely information are essential in preventing panic, building trust, and strengthening coordinated responses.