By Atoyebi Nike
The Yoruba Assembly, a coalition of socio-political and cultural groups in the South-West, has called on governors in the region and foremost traditional rulers including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to urgently address rising insecurity amid reports of an imminent ISWAP attack on Ondo and Kogi states.
The group issued the call on Wednesday during a summit held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, themed “Democracy and the Future of the People.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Yoruba Assembly, Wale Oshun, expressed alarm over a reported intelligence alert by the Department of State Services (DSS) warning of planned coordinated attacks by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) members. The DSS had reportedly urged the military to tighten surveillance across vulnerable communities in Ondo and Kogi States.
Oshun lamented that the security situation across the region was deteriorating, with banditry and terrorism extending into parts of Kwara and Kogi. He accused South-West governors of failing to act decisively.
“I doubt if the governors’ many internal and external travels would allow them to concentrate on tackling insecurity under their noses,” he said, adding that Yoruba communities must organise to “resist any invasion in the quest for survival.”
The assembly demanded a restructuring of Nigeria along the pre-independence regional format and called for the urgent establishment of subnational policing, allowing states to defend themselves effectively.
“The governors working together across the country should make the issue of subnational policing a reality,” Oshun stated, while also urging the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo to co-convene a conference of Yoruba monarchs to address insecurity and restore cultural leadership.
He added, “The Obas must unite their acts if truly they are the custodians of our spirit and heritage. Without any delay, a conference of all titular thrones in existence in 1960, to be joined by the Olubadan of Ibadan and Soun of Ogbomoso, should quickly be co-convened.”
The meeting also highlighted economic issues, with Oshun stressing the need for governments to ensure citizens feel the positive impact of reforms through agricultural and industrial productivity.
Other speakers, including Chief Dele Asaju, Adewale Adeoye, and Rasaq Olokooba, echoed the call for unity among Yoruba monarchs. Olokooba urged the Ooni and Alaafin to “resolve their differences” and collaborate to protect the region from external threats.
“They are taking your land, you’re fighting over sitting arrangements at parties. Secure Yoruba land,” he said. “If intruders realise you’re returning home regularly and holding meetings, they won’t invade your land.”
