Alaafin calls for action to protect Kwara communities from terror threats

2026-02-17 - 19:56

By Adeola Badru The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has called for immediate and coordinated security measures to protect the communities of Ira, Inaja, and Aho in the Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, following a threatening letter allegedly dropped at Ira market, vowing to strike “anytime soon.” In a statement issued by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, Alaafin said the letter’s authors claimed a false identity and sought to create panic through intimidation and fear. He emphasised that the situation demands swift, well-coordinated intervention to reassure residents and prevent further threats. “Ira holds deep cultural significance within the wider Yoruba heritage as the ancestral hometown of the legendary Oya, wife of Sango.” “No community with such history and dignity, and indeed no Nigerian community anywhere, should be forced to live under the shadow of terror or to contemplate displacement from ancestral soil by faceless criminals,” the Alaafin said. He condemned the threats and related violence, describing such acts as a direct affront to the authority of the Nigerian state and a violation of citizens’ rights to live, farm, trade, worship, and raise their children in peace. “No criminal group, however hidden, has the right to dictate how our people live, where they sleep, or whether they remain on their ancestral soil.” “When terrorists attempt to impose fear as a substitute for lawful authority, they attack the very meaning of citizenship and the foundations of our collective order,” he added. Highlighting the recent rise in terrorist activity in the region, the Alaafin warned that law-abiding communities must not live under constant fear or disruption. He stressed that immediate and sustained security measures are necessary to protect markets, farms, and everyday life. The Alaafin commended both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria for their efforts so far but called for intensified operations, rapid response mechanisms, and visible security presence. “The ongoing deployments, patrols, and operational engagements aimed at protecting law-abiding communities, particularly those situated along forest pathways and other vulnerable terrains, deserve commendation.” “However, the present situation calls for a sustained and well-coordinated security presence, backed by rapid response mechanisms, to reassure residents that protection is not occasional but consistent, not symbolic but effective,” the statement said. He also urged the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, preventive action, inter-agency cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, and community engagement, stressing that local knowledge, combined with state authority, is key to preventing attacks before they occur. “Clear, steady communication with affected communities and with their traditional rulers will also strengthen public trust. In moments of uncertainty, timely information and visible leadership help calm fears, counter misinformation, and demonstrate that government remains firmly present,” he said. Addressing residents directly, the Alaafin expressed solidarity with the affected communities, emphasising that these areas form part of the shared cultural and human fabric of Yorubaland. “Criminals must not turn our ancestral homes into bargaining chips. Terror must not violate our farms, our markets, our places of worship, or the dignity of our daily work,” he said, urging citizens to remain calm but vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and report suspicious activities responsibly. He also issued a firm warning to those responsible and their sponsors, saying that: “Yoruba traditional and community leaders will not allow peaceful communities to be threatened or displaced.” He said he is coordinating with other respected leaders, including the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and other royal fathers, to provide moral support and ensure effective advocacy for affected residents. “Finally, the Alaafin delivers this unequivocal warning to terrorists and their sponsors. Steer clear of Ira, steer clear of Inaja, steer clear of Aho, and steer clear of every lawful community across our land.” “You will not rule by threat. You will not carve out no-go areas for criminals. You will not silence peaceful citizens with fear,” he said. The Alaafin prayed for divine protection, comfort for affected families, strength for security personnel, and lasting peace for all communities living under the shadow of fear. Vanguard News