Emmanuel Obi
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the South-West following the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Adams described the attack as a dangerous signal that insecurity was spreading deeper into the region.
According to him, the incident marked a disturbing development, noting that while kidnappings had occurred across different states in recent years, mass abductions were gradually becoming a threat in Yorubaland.
“What happened in Oriire Local Government Area is condemnable and painful. The South-West must begin to take the issue of insecurity more seriously,” he said.
Adams revealed that he had repeatedly warned authorities about the infiltration of criminal elements into parts of the South-West, particularly in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
He disclosed that he had written to governors in the region, urging stronger collaboration among security stakeholders, traditional institutions, and local groups to tackle the growing menace.
“There is a need for all hands to be on deck. I have spoken on several platforms and even organised a press conference months ago to stress the need for cooperation,” Adams stated.
The Yoruba leader, however, lamented that his calls for coordinated action had received little response despite mounting security concerns.
Bandits had invaded schools in the Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area last Friday, abducting teachers, students, and pupils from multiple schools in the area.
