Gani Adams, the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, has called on the governors in the southwest to stay vigilant and focus on securing the region. His statement came after Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, raised concerns about the increasing number of bandits from the North-West entering the southwest.

Adams supported Governor Makinde’s alarm, agreeing that the situation is serious and requires immediate attention. He warned that insecurity has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria, and if not addressed, it could worsen in the southwest.

In his statement, Adams urged the southwest governors not to ignore the warning and to take swift action to ensure the safety and security of the people in the region. He stressed that protecting the southwest from bandits and kidnappers is crucial.

He said: 

“The alarm raised by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was a wake-up call for all the governors in the South West. I raised similar alarm last year and nothing was done and it is sad that up to the present time nothing has really changed, except that insecurity is increasing by the day.

“The South West Security Stakeholders Group, SSSG, and a few others under my leadership have been doing their best in ensuring that the South West region is safe.

“But now that Governor Makinde has raised the alarm, there is need for urgent approach to address the situation before it gets out of hand. “So, I urge governors in the South West to be vigilant and do the needful by addressing the security situation in their respective states before it is too late. We will resist any attempt to turn Yoruba land into bandits and kidnappers’ foothold.