The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has raised fresh alarm over what he described as increasing terrorist infiltration across parts of South-West Nigeria, claiming that armed groups have established presence in at least 40 local government areas within the region.
Adams made the statement while addressing concerns over rising insecurity in the South-West, noting that he had repeatedly warned about the movement of armed elements into the region over the past two years. He said the development represents a growing security threat that requires urgent coordinated response from federal, state, and community security structures.
According to him, the infiltration is not isolated but spread across multiple states in the South-West geopolitical zone, a region traditionally considered one of the more stable parts of the country. He argued that the movement of armed groups into rural and forested areas has made some communities increasingly vulnerable to attacks and criminal activities.
Gani Adams, who holds the traditional title of Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, is a prominent cultural leader and advocate for regional security initiatives. Over the years, he has consistently called for stronger local security frameworks, including community-based protection structures to complement existing federal security agencies.
He reiterated that his earlier warnings about the presence of armed groups in the region had not received sufficient attention, stressing that recent security incidents have further validated his concerns. However, he did not provide specific operational details or verified incident reports to substantiate the figure of 40 local government areas.
Security challenges in parts of South-West Nigeria have in recent years included cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and incursions by criminal groups operating in forest corridors linking several states. Authorities have responded with increased deployment of security personnel and joint operations involving police, military, and local vigilante networks.
Federal and state governments have also continued to emphasise intelligence-led policing and regional security cooperation as part of broader efforts to address evolving security threats across the country.
At the time of reporting, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the specific claim that terrorists have established presence in 40 local government areas in the South-West.
Security analysts note that while isolated incidents of criminal activity have been recorded in parts of the region, official assessments typically rely on verified intelligence and operational reports before designating areas as being under infiltration or sustained threat.
Gani Adams has remained an influential voice in regional security discourse, often advocating for stronger localised security structures and greater community participation in intelligence gathering and early warning systems.
His latest remarks are expected to contribute to ongoing national discussions on security strategy, particularly regarding rural safety, forest surveillance, and inter-agency coordination in the South-West.
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