Insecurity in Southwest is result of neglect, not lack of intelligence — Gani Adams

Michael Olumide

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has defended his role in the fight against insecurity in the Southwest, insisting that he should not be held responsible for the worsening security situation across the region.

Speaking during a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilesa-Ijebu, Ogun State, Adams said he had repeatedly raised alarm over emerging security threats in Yoruba communities long before the crisis escalated into its current form.

According to him, the problem did not begin recently but developed gradually over the years, following what he described as a consistent pattern of ignored intelligence reports and unimplemented security proposals.

He said he had, even before his installation as Aare Ona Kakanfo in 2018, drawn attention to the infiltration of armed groups into parts of Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa, warning that rural and border communities were becoming vulnerable to criminal elements.

However, he lamented that those warnings were not taken seriously by relevant authorities at the time.

Adams maintained that the current wave of kidnapping, armed attacks, and violent incursions across the Southwest was the outcome of years of inaction rather than a sudden breakdown of order.

He said the security situation in Yorubaland had now reached an unprecedented level, noting that communities once regarded as peaceful were now facing coordinated threats from heavily armed groups operating across forests and rural corridors.

“I warned early, but nothing was done.”
Adams stressed that he should not be blamed for the crisis, insisting that he consistently engaged political leaders with intelligence reports and proposals aimed at preventing the escalation of violence.

He argued that despite his efforts, the lack of decisive action allowed the situation to deteriorate.

He said: “If anyone is to be blamed for insecurity in the Southwest, it should not be me. I raised concerns and presented information early enough, even before I became Aare Ona Kakanfo. Unfortunately, those warnings were not acted upon, and what we are seeing today is the result of that neglect.”

Addressing expectations that he should take direct action against insecurity, Adams clarified that his traditional title does not grant him independent military or security powers under Nigeria’s current legal system.

He explained that, unlike the historical role of the Aare Ona Kakanfo in the old Oyo Empire, where holders had war authority under the Alaafin, the modern-day structure places security entirely under government control.

He noted that while he remains committed to supporting security efforts, he cannot act outside constitutional and governmental approval.

According to him, even community-based security initiatives must operate within state frameworks, making unilateral action impossible.

He said:“People must understand that this is not the era of the old Oyo Empire. Today, we operate under a constitutional system where security is controlled by the state. No matter your title, you cannot act independently.”

Adams warned that individuals or groups who attempt to take security actions outside official approval risk legal consequences, including arrest or prosecution.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo also revisited the formation of the Southwest regional security outfit, Amotekun, saying the original vision was weakened by political differences and structural changes.

He explained that the idea was initially designed as a unified regional security framework with coordinated intelligence sharing and command structure across all Southwest states.

However, he argued that the decision by states to operate independently weakened the effectiveness of the initiative.

He also faulted inconsistencies in implementation across the region, stating that while some states made progress, others did not fully commit to the structure.

Despite this, he acknowledged that Amotekun remains a positive step in the right direction, but insisted that it needs better coordination and political alignment to achieve maximum impact.

Proposed grassroots security framework
Adams revealed that he had repeatedly written to Southwest governors proposing broader community-based security integration to address manpower shortages and intelligence gaps.

He said his proposals included the mobilisation of existing grassroots structures such as vigilante groups, hunters, community networks, and socio-cultural organisations.

According to him, such groups already have deep community presence and could serve as a strong support system if properly structured and coordinated with formal security agencies.

He argued that millions of trained and semi-organised individuals across the region could be harnessed into a functional security network if there is political will.

However, he lamented that most of these proposals were not fully implemented.
Funding, arms, and operational challenges

Adams further highlighted challenges facing local security outfits, particularly the imbalance between the weapons available to state-backed groups and those used by criminal elements.

He said restrictions on access to sophisticated arms have limited the effectiveness of community security efforts, leaving them disadvantaged in confrontations with heavily armed gangs.

He also warned that recruitment processes in some security structures had become politicised, reducing efficiency and weakening operational capacity.

According to him, competence was often sacrificed for political patronage, especially in later stages of recruitment into regional security outfits.

Concluding his remarks, Adams called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and grassroots security structures, insisting that insecurity cannot be solved through isolated efforts.

He urged political leaders to adopt a unified, intelligence-driven approach that integrates community networks, security agencies, and government frameworks into a coordinated system.

He warned that without urgent and sincere collaboration, the security situation in the Southwest could worsen further.

“We must move beyond politics and focus on real solutions. Security requires coordination, intelligence, and commitment. If we fail to act collectively, the challenges will only grow,” he said.