Alaafin visits Kwara, seeks cross-border cooperation to tackle terrorism

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Thursday called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, timely intelligence sharing, and coordinated community engagement as part of efforts to prevent terrorism and other security threats.

Oba Owoade made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in Ilorin.

The monarch said effective security management required synergy between communities and government authorities, noting that both local knowledge and state capacity must be properly integrated.

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

He said, “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.”

He further urged continuous communication between the government and traditional rulers, saying timely information would help reduce panic and misinformation in affected communities.

“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 added.

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

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

The governor 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.

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

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