By Tosin Olatokunbo
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has called on Yoruba leaders to rise up against the infiltration of arm terrorists group in the region, who he said have killed over 1000 persons in Kisi, Oyo state in the past few months.
Adams is the leader of Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC and holds the title of Yoruba Generalisimo.
According to a statement on Wednesday from his office, the OPC leader said hundreds of armed men were spotted by intelligence moving into Old Oyo Game Reserve at Sooro village in Kishi town, Irepo Local Government of the State.
He said the development posed a great danger to the security of the entire South-West, as the sect has been known to be involved in rape, kidnap of locals, threats to livelihoods as well as access to forest resources in the region in recent times.
He urged leaders in the region to rise up against the infiltrators before they do more damage to the economic and lifelihood of Yoruba people.
He said the infiltrators have occupational agenda.
Adams said “I have received numerous reports from Kishi, North-West of Oyo State. The reports range from ceaseless kidnapping, rape and threat to lives of Yoruba people in the Oke Ogun area with Kishi as the present hub of terrorist attacks. It’s my responsibility to alert the public and also the relevant authorities”, he said.
“The occupation of the land by armed groups is an assault on Yoruba heritage and civilisation. Part of the forest hosts the sacred tabernacle of ancient Yoruba Alaafin whose graves were located in parts of the forest. The killing and kidnapping of over a hundred people is frightening and worrisome.
“The records are there. The recent Intelligence report from Kishi is too frightening because terrorists have taken over the area, with the number of victims growing by the day. We need to react to these senseless killings because of the timing and exigencies. I have sent the report to the Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
“I have also alerted the Director-General of Amotekun in Oyo state. I have also informed the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, through a message to his Assistant, and I have informed the Okere of Saki”, he said.
Meanwhile, some governors in the south west has blamed the shortage of funds on the slow take off of the regional security outfit, Amotekun.
Only Ondo state, among the six states in the region has inaugurated the outfit, set up last year to rein in insecurity across Yoruba controlled states.
