Taiwo Popoola
The Aare Ona kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has tasked the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government not to continue to turn a blind eye on Benue, Plateau and Oyo states amid the recent escalation of insecurity across the country.
Adams spoke while delivering a keynote address at the grand finale of the 2025 Eledumare Festival in Lagos.
Speaking with specific reference to the insecurity issues and humanitarian crisis confronting Nigerians in Plateau, Benue and Ondo states, the monarch condemned the activities of armed herders, suspected to be behind the killings and kidnappings in the three states.
According to him, the crisis gives a sense of instability and discourages foreign investors.
Urging the Federal Government to act now immediately, he said, “We cannot, because of the political benefits of the Federal Government, continue to ignore what would be of immense benefit to the rest of the country.
“These insecurity issues go a long way to affect food security, given the important role Benue, Plateau, and Ondo states play in the food production cycle of the nation. The crisis also gives a sense of instability and discourages foreign investors.
“The government at the centre cannot continue to turn a blind eye to these necessary demands. The time to act is now. We must act decisively in the interest of our people.”
Urban Express News Online reports that there has been a surge in attacks and killings in Benue, Plateau and Ondo states in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State announced that a total of 598 People were killed in Some Communities in the state
Alia spoke during a high-level condolence visit led by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.
In Plateau, over 100 people lost their lives and properties destroyed as a result of attacks in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs of the state.
On Monday, Plateau State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, and other Christian leaders hit the streets of the state in Protest against attacks which have claimed over 100 lives in the last two weeks.
In Ondo, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen killed over 20 farmers in four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
