Alaafin of Oyo Urges Coordinated Government Action to Combat Rising Insecurity
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has voiced profound concern regarding the escalating wave of insecurity across the South West region, as well as parts of Kwara and Kogi states. He has called upon both the federal and state governments to implement immediate and coordinated measures to address this growing threat to lives and livelihoods in affected communities.
Monarch Describes Situation as Alarming
In a statement issued by the Director of Culture and Public Relations at the palace, Ademola Adeniyi (Kukulaja), the monarch characterized the current security situation as alarming. He emphasized that the increasing frequency and pattern of attacks have instilled serious fear, particularly in rural and farming areas where residents are more vulnerable to such threats.
The Alaafin stressed that the situation now demands stronger security reinforcement, improved coordination among various security agencies, and a rapid scale-up of response efforts in vulnerable locations. He specifically called for the deployment of additional security personnel to troubled areas, enhanced intelligence gathering capabilities, and real-time information sharing among relevant authorities. Furthermore, he underscored the necessity for consistent and decisive operations to prevent further attacks and restore safety.
Role of Traditional Institutions in Security
Highlighting the critical role of traditional institutions, the Alaafin noted that they play a key part in intelligence gathering, community mobilization, and conflict prevention. As part of efforts to address the insecurity, he directed the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, to initiate wide consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders, and other key stakeholders across the affected areas. He described this move as urgent and time-sensitive, while also stressing that all actions must remain within the bounds of the Constitution and support lawful security operations.
Call for Unification of OPC Factions
In a related development, a national leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Adesina Akinpelu, has urged the Alaafin of Oyo to prioritize the unification of factions within the OPC as a prerequisite for effectively tackling insecurity across Yorubaland. Akinpelu made this call in Ibadan, reacting to the monarch’s recent directive to Gani Adams to intensify efforts at strengthening community-based policing in the region.
Akinpelu argued that expecting a single individual to shoulder the responsibility of securing the region is unrealistic, emphasizing that internal divisions within the OPC must first be addressed. He stated, “One tree cannot make a forest,” noting that the absence of unity among the various factions has weakened the organization’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to regional security. He recalled that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had previously called for the harmonization of different OPC factions to strengthen collective efforts against insecurity.
According to Akinpelu, while some factions have shown willingness to embrace unity, the group led by Adams has yet to align with the harmonization process. He therefore urged the Alaafin to take proactive steps toward reconciling the factions, insisting that a united OPC would be better positioned to support community policing initiatives and collaborate effectively with formal security agencies. Akinpelu maintained that addressing such challenges requires a coordinated and inclusive approach, anchored on unity among key socio-cultural groups and strengthened collaboration with traditional institutions and security agencies.
