Gani Adams raises the alarm over terrorists, backs US military help

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Tuesday sounded a fresh alarm over an imminent terrorist threat to the South-West, North-Central, and South-South regions, warning that militants are encircling the areas and awaiting a “signal” from foreign sponsors to unleash coordinated attacks.

Speaking at a press conference at Oodua House, Ikeja, Lagos, Adams said the scale of the threat poses an existential danger to over 60 million Yoruba people if urgent action is not taken.

“These are perilous times in Yorubaland. From Kogi to Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, parts of Edo and Delta states, the ominous signs are there.

“Merchants of death have surrounded the more than 60 million inhabitants of this geographical space. The bloodthirsty maniacs don’t have good intentions for the peace-loving people of our area.

“Rather, they are waiting for the signal from their foreign sponsors to invade this land, kill mercilessly, and take over people’s ancestral inheritance,” he said.

Adams expressed doubts about Nigeria’s ability to tackle the threat alone, insisting that foreign intervention, particularly from the United States, may be necessary.

“That’s why we welcome the proposal by the 47th American President, Donald Trump, to flush out these terrorists killing Christians and Muslims in Nigeria,” he said, adding that critics of Trump’s offer were misguided.

He noted, “I still don’t understand why some people are against this military intervention to deal with these bandits. If our governors are powerless or, for political reasons, refuse to deal with the situation, American soldiers should help this land.

“Donald Trump has not told anybody he wants to set up a military base in Nigeria. What he simply said was that enough killings in Nigeria. So, what is wrong with that?”

Citing a past operation, Adams said, “You will remember an incident that happened in 2020 when an American was abducted and taken to one of the towns in the North. United States Marines stormed the place, killed six of the kidnappers, and rescued the American. This is exactly what we are saying.”

He also referenced a recent advisory by the British government warning its citizens against travelling to about 20 states in Nigeria. “What can be more embarrassing than that,” he asked.

Adams recalled that he had warned Yoruba governors over a year ago about the infiltration of forests by criminal elements but lamented the lack of response.

To address the threat, he proposed a Southwest Security Summit involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, farmers, herders, business owners, and security agencies.

He regretted that “no serious attention has been given to this proposal by those in government.”

“It is a no-brainer that if these terrorists are treated with kid gloves, they will go on the rampage soon. This must be nipped in the bud immediately.

“This existential threat must be tackled immediately. We must wage intelligent war against kidnapping, and the time for that fight is now,” Adams stressed, calling for an intelligence-driven approach.

Citing intelligence reports, he warned that terrorists are preparing to move from forests into major cities. “Through our intelligence gathering, these terrorists are already mobilising to leave forests and invade our towns and cities.”

Urging Yoruba people to remain vigilant, he said, “This is the time for all Yoruba to be vigilant and be on the alert. This should be done effectively through our local intelligence gathering mechanism because this monster must be fought by all.”

Adams also highlighted the growing wave of killings, kidnappings, and attacks in the region, noting: “A first-class monarch who was the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara State, Major General Segun Aremu (rtd), was shot dead in his palace. His wife was abducted. Another first-class monarch, who was the traditional ruler of Ifon, Ondo State, Oba Israel Adeusi, was also killed by these monsters.”

He warned that financial incentives are fueling the spread of crime. “It is now spreading like wildfire because the perpetrators get high financial returns with less risk through kidnapping and abduction,” he said.

He cited recent attacks, including the August 2025 security breach in Babanla, Kwara State, where “armed criminals attacked a residence, and about 20 villages were displaced. 36 people were killed in the ugly incident.”

He also referenced the abduction of 25 female students in Kebbi State. “Yesterday in Kebbi State, government college comprehensive secondary school, Maga, Danko/Wasagu local government area of the state, wherein Hassan Makuku, believed to be the vice principal, was shot dead and 25 female students were abducted by the terrorists.”

Adams said middle-belt communities across Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, and Taraba had been turned into “war theatres,” with more than 300 villages displaced. He accused terrorists of exploiting Nigeria’s porous forests to mine solid minerals for weapons.

“What can be more embarrassing than that?” he asked, urging immediate government action.

“The principal task of security agencies is to defend the state against threats to its national security. Any threat to the economic growth of a country is also a threat to national security. This is the time for us to act before the situation becomes unbearable. Oodua a gbe wa o. Ile Yoruba ko ni baje o,” he said.(Punch)