The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade Abimbola, has issued a stern warning to sponsors of terrorism, following a terror letter sent to the Ira, Inaja, and Aho communities in the Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The letter was sent by terrorists who threatened to strike soon, as has been witnessed in neighbouring communities in the state.
In a statement, Oba Owoade said we must not normalise a situation where law-abiding people live at the mercy of faceless criminals.
He said we must not accept a reality in which villages are empty at the sound of rumours, markets close under threat, and communities look over their shoulders as though fear has become a permanent resident.
The report further suggests that the authors of this cowardly letter claimed a spurious identity and sought to create panic through intimidation and fear.
“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 monarch said.
The Alaafin condemned these threats and the violence that often follows them in the strongest terms, saying such acts do not merely menace a few communities; they constitute a direct affront to the authority of the Nigerian state and a grave assault on the fundamental rights of citizens to live, farm, trade, worship, and raise their children in peace, without coercion, without extortion, and without fear.
“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.
“These threats emerge against a troubling backdrop of recent terrorist activity in the wider area, an escalation that has already cost lives and destroyed property, leaving families grieving and communities anxious. We must not normalise a situation where law-abiding people live at the mercy of faceless criminals. We must not accept a reality in which villages empty at the sound of rumours, markets close under threat, and communities look over their shoulders as though fear has become a permanent resident.
“At the same time, the Alaafin acknowledges that insecurity is a complex national challenge requiring sustained, coordinated action. It is encouraging that both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria have continued to demonstrate commitment to addressing insecurity and safeguarding affected communities. At this time, sustained, visible, and well-coordinated efforts will further reinforce public confidence and reassure citizens that government protection remains active and dependable.
“It is in this spirit of constructive national partnership, and with the urgency the moment demands, that the Alaafin respectfully calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria and all relevant security and intelligence institutions to intensify action immediately.”
The Alaafin commended the ongoing deployments, patrols, and operational engagements aimed at protecting law-abiding communities, particularly those situated along forest pathways and other vulnerable terrain.
Hhe, however, stated that 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 safety of rural and border communities must command the same seriousness and urgency as the security of our major cities,” he said.
The Alaafin also urged the government to deepen intelligence gathering and preventive intervention.
“Beyond responsive measures, enhanced intelligence and preventive strategies are critical. Security threats rarely occur in isolation; they are often organised, financed, and facilitated through networks that can and should be identified, disrupted, and prosecuted within the framework of the law,” he said.
The Alaafin, therefore, respectfully called for strengthened inter-agency cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, proactive intervention, and structured community engagement that enables early warning and prevention.
“Our communities hold local knowledge; the state holds lawful authority and capacity. The effective fusion of both can prevent incidents 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. Where communities feel heard and guided, panic recedes; where they feel abandoned, fear multiplies.
“To the people of Ira, Inaja and Aho, the Alaafin stands with you, and we identify with you. These are not distant places to us; they form part of our shared cultural and human fabric, communities bound to us by history, kinship, and longstanding civilisational ties. 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.
The Alaafin urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, to cooperate fully with lawful security agencies, to strengthen community watchfulness through responsible channels, and to report credible suspicious movements promptly. “Community vigilance must remain disciplined and coordinated, never reckless, never vengeful, never an excuse for disorder. We must protect our people without undermining the rule of law that ultimately protects us all,” he said.
“To those responsible for these acts of violence, and to any individuals or groups who may be supporting them, the Alaafin offers this firm assurance. Yoruba traditional and community leaders across the country will not stand idly by while peace-loving communities are threatened, displaced, or harmed. The Alaafin remains in close communication with other respected leaders across the country, including the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, as well as other royal fathers and community stakeholders, to ensure that the people of Ira and neighbouring communities receive the moral support, communal solidarity, and coordinated advocacy required at this time.
“We will continue to lend our voice and leadership to ensure that our people receive the protection and reassurance they deserve, and that the institutions of the Nigerian state discharge their constitutional responsibilities with full resolve.
“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. The Nigerian state must pursue you with lawful force; security agencies must dismantle your networks; and the justice system must hold you and your sponsors accountable.
“May the Almighty grant protection to our people, comfort to families affected by violence, strength to those tasked with security, and enduring peace to every community living under the shadow of fear,” he said.
