Alaafin seeks community-govt synergy to tackle terrorism

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has called for rapid response mechanisms and stronger community-government synergy to tackle terrorism.

The monarch made the call during his visit to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in Ilorin.

Oba Owoade noted that effective security management required synergy between communities and government authorities, noting that both local knowledge and state capacity must be properly integrated.

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In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch emphasised the need for sustained security presence and rapid response mechanisms, particularly in rural and border communities.

He demanded for a continuous communication between the government and traditional rulers, adding that timely information would help reduce panic and misinformation in affected communities.

The monarch also expressed solidarity with Yoruba communities in Kwara State, describing them as part of a shared cultural and historical heritage.

“The safety of rural and border communities must command the same seriousness and urgency as the security of our major cities.

“Government must 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.

“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.

“The Alaafin stands with Yoruba communities in the state, and we identify with them. 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.

Responding, Governor AbdulRazaq lauded the monarch for his commitment to peace and security, describing him as a “detribalised and visionary monarch.”

Abdulrazaq assured that the state government would continue to prioritise security and consider the traditional institution in governance processes.

He also described traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in governance, noting their role in dispute resolution and community leadership.

The monarch also visited Shao and Jebba communities during the trip, where he was received by residents.

Alaafin was accompanied by several traditional rulers and members of the Oyo Traditional Council.