The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has reiterated his readiness to lead his Southwest Security Stakeholders group to collaborate with Southwest governors and indeed the Federal Government to stop the recurring incidences of insecurity across the region.
Adams said this while bemoaning the recent assassination of Oba Kehinde Jacob Falodun, the Alagamo of Agamo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, by bandits.
The traditional ruler, according to sources, was killed after he resisted attempts by the bandits to kidnap him.
A close family source added that the gunmen initially opened fire on Oba Falodun, but the bullets failed to penetrate, after which he was hit on the head with a weapon.
Describing the monarch’s murder as tragic and embarrassing, Adams described the action of the bandits as a grave affront to the values of our society.
“This heinous act has once again highlighted the alarming security challenges confronting Yorubaland and Nigeria at large,” Adams noted.
He called for a recalibration of Nigeria’s security architecture, emphasising the urgent need for a robust and coordinated security framework that can effectively address the recurring menace of violence and insecurity in the southwest region.
He specifically tasked Southwest governors and the Federal Government on the need to collaborate with the office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo and his team of Southwest Security Stakeholders group, comprising of over 30 security-related subgroups, in a bid to stop the recurring incidences of insecurity within the region.
“It is imperative that the federal and state governments respond decisively to this tragedy by strengthening security measures and fostering collaboration with key traditional and security stakeholders,” he said.
“All buffer zones around the region have been surrounded and the Southwest states have been infiltrated. These criminals are now testing our abilities and readiness to stop their attacks.
“Only recently, an 85-year-old woman was raped and murdered in Ido in Ibadan by bandits, and her corpse has been deposited at Adeoyo Hospital. There were kidnappings in Osun State. In Ekiti State, a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel was seen in a viral video being beaten openly by terrorists before his eventual abduction. In Ogun State, a bandit masquerading as a beggar, attempted to kill an old man in Itori with machete.
“These are additions to the mindless attacks and kidnappings that have been going on in many Kwara and Kogi communities.
“We reiterate our readiness to collaborate with State Governments and even the Federal Government to reduce incidences of security in our forests, communities and neighbourhoods. It is just too embarrassing for a traditional ruler to be killed just like that,” Adams added.
“The senseless murder of Oba Kehinde Falodun must serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders. Together, through unity and decisive action, Yorubaland can overcome insecurity and build a peaceful environment conducive for development and prosperity,” he said.
At the last count, about seven Obas had been killed by bandits across Southwest states and Yoruba speaking areas of Kwara State.
