The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has called for urgent and intensified security intervention in Kwara State following fresh bandit threats against communities in Oyun Local Government Area.
The monarch specifically urged the Federal Government, security agencies, and intelligence institutions to act swiftly to prevent violence in Ira, Inaja, and Aho communities after gunmen reportedly dropped a threatening letter at Ira market, vowing to strike “anytime soon.”
Growing Security Concerns in Oyun LGA, Kwara State
The affected communities are located in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The development comes amid rising insecurity in parts of the state, including the recent massacre of over 100 residents in Kaima Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued in Ibadan by the monarch’s Personal Assistant, Dele Kolade, the Alaafin described the threats as:
A direct attack on Nigerian sovereignty
An assault on citizens’ fundamental rights
An attempt to instill fear and destabilize lawful communities
He warned that no criminal group has the authority to dictate where Nigerians live or whether they remain on their ancestral lands.
“No Community Should Live Under Terror”
The royal father strongly condemned the alleged bandits for attempting to create panic through intimidation.
“Ira holds deep cultural significance within the wider Yoruba heritage as the ancestral hometown of the legendary Oya, wife of Sango,” the statement noted, stressing that communities with such historic dignity must not be forced into displacement by faceless criminals.
The Alaafin emphasized that insecurity in rural and border communities must receive the same urgency as security concerns in major cities.
Call for Sustained Security Presence and Rapid Response
While commending ongoing patrols and operational deployments aimed at protecting vulnerable forest-linked communities, the monarch insisted that current measures must evolve into:
Sustained and visible security presence
Rapid response mechanisms
Enhanced intelligence gathering
Preventive security strategies
Stronger inter-agency cooperation
He said security threats are rarely isolated incidents, but are often organized and financed through networks that must be identified, dismantled, and prosecuted within the law.
Strengthening Intelligence and Community Engagement
The Alaafin urged deeper intelligence collaboration between security agencies and local communities, stressing the importance of early warning systems.
“Our communities hold local knowledge; the state holds lawful authority and capacity. The effective fusion of both can prevent incidents before they occur,” the statement read.
He also called for:
Timely intelligence sharing
Structured community engagement
Clear communication between government and traditional rulers
Public reassurance to prevent panic and misinformation
Solidarity With Affected Communities
Declaring solidarity with residents of Ira, Inaja and Aho, the Alaafin described them as integral parts of the shared Yoruba cultural heritage.
He warned terrorists and their sponsors to stay away from all lawful communities and reaffirmed that traditional leaders across Yorubaland would not stand idly by while peace-loving citizens are threatened.
The monarch disclosed ongoing consultations with respected national and Yoruba leaders, including the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, to ensure coordinated advocacy and moral support for affected communities.
Warning to Terrorists and Criminal Networks
In a firm message, the Alaafin declared:
Terrorists will not carve out no-go areas
Criminals will not silence citizens through fear
Security agencies must dismantle criminal networks
The Nigerian justice system must hold sponsors accountable
He urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and report suspicious movements through lawful channels.
