The Yoruba One Voice Worldwide has called on traditional rulers in Yorubaland to close ranks and forge a common front to tackle the surge in insecurity in the region.
The call formed part of the resolutions reached at a virtual international conference organised by the group, led by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, which brought together Yoruba organisations, community leaders, professionals, intellectuals and cultural advocates in Nigeria and the diaspora.
The South-West region has, in recent times, witnessed a surge in incidents of abductions and other forms of terrorism, with over 40 teachers and pupils of three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State still being held hostage.
In a communiqué signed by its Secretary-General, Adedokun Ademiluyi; Organising Secretary, Victoria Harley; and Publicity Secretary, Samuel Olamuyiwa, on Sunday, the group emphasised that the security of Yorubaland depends on unity of purpose and effective collaboration among stakeholders, including traditional rulers.
Speakers at the conference posited that the security situation in Yorubaland had deteriorated significantly in recent years, with increasing incidents of kidnapping, banditry, violent crimes, killings and attacks on communities, and called for urgent action.
The communiqué read, “The conference advises traditional rulers to eschew their differences, close ranks and forge a common front in the fight against insecurity in Yorubaland.
“The future security of Yorubaland depends on unity of purpose, effective collaboration among stakeholders, community participation and the adoption of decentralised policing structures capable of responding to local realities.”
The conference stressed the need for collective action, strategic partnerships and sustained commitment for Yorubaland to overcome the current security challenges and restore peace, progress and prosperity across the region.
The participants demanded the collaboration of the Federal Government, South-West governors, security agencies, traditional institutions and community leaders to ensure the urgent release of the abducted schoolchildren and adopt proactive measures to prevent a deterioration of the security situation in the zone.
They noted that the recent escalation of insecurity stemmed from the failure of government, security agencies and other stakeholders to heed early warnings and intelligence reports about the gradual infiltration of Yorubaland by bandits and others with criminal intent.
“The existing centralised policing structure has demonstrated limitations in effectively responding to local security challenges and emerging threats.
“Early warnings and intelligence reports regarding the gradual infiltration of bandits into Yorubaland were not given adequate attention by relevant authorities, thereby allowing criminal networks to strengthen their operations.
“Community-based security groups possess valuable local intelligence, grassroots networks and operational experience that can complement government security efforts,” the communiqué further read.
According to them, the Oyo attack underscored the fact that communities across Yorubaland remain vulnerable due to inadequate security presence, difficult terrain, porous borders, isolated settlements and limited emergency response capacity.
“The coordinated attack on schools in Oyo confirmed that the threat has now fully spread to the South-West region, which was previously considered relatively safer.
“Understanding the changing face of insecurity in Yorubaland requires examining both traditional and emerging threats, their root causes and the collaborative strategies needed to ensure sustainable peace, security and development across the region.
“This grisly picture of growing insecurity ravaging Yorubaland and South-West Nigeria demands urgent strategic attention and action,” the communiqué read.
The group reiterated calls for the establishment of state police and local government police, just as it urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to hasten legislative action towards providing a constitutional framework for decentralised policing in Nigeria.
The communiqué also read, “The conference strongly condemns the growing wave of insecurity, kidnappings, banditry, terrorism and violent crimes threatening the peace, stability and development of Yorubaland.
“It renews the demand for the establishment of State Police and Local Government Police as part of broader constitutional and security reforms necessary for effective grassroots policing and intelligence gathering.
“It urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders to accelerate legislative actions that will provide a constitutional framework for decentralised policing across Nigeria.”
Despite the call for action by the government and stakeholders, the YOV also stressed the importance of community vigilance by residents to support security agencies.
This was as it called for a bottom-up approach to intelligence gathering to mitigate security challenges in Yorubaland.
“We recommend institutional engagement with the South-West Security Stakeholders’ Group and other credible grassroots security networks for intelligence sharing, surveillance and coordinated security operations.
“We also advocate increased investment in rural security infrastructure, including improved road access, communication systems, surveillance technology and rapid response mechanisms.
“We call on all Yoruba people, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status, to unite in safeguarding their communities and supporting legitimate security initiatives. We also encourage continuous public enlightenment and community vigilance as essential tools in preventing criminal infiltration and strengthening collective security,” the communiqué read.
Earlier, Maj. Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.) delivered the keynote address on issues of governance, security reforms and democratic accountability, which set the tone for the conference.
The conference also had other participants, including opinion and community leaders, intelligentsia, security experts, professionals, entrepreneurs, workers, scholars, students, media practitioners and stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria.