Alaafin visits Kwara, urges stronger security for rural communities

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has called for improved security coordination and faster intelligence sharing to better protect rural and border communities across Nigeria.

The monarch made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in Ilorin.

In his remarks, he stressed the need for closer collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, and local communities, noting that effective cooperation could help prevent attacks before they occur.

According to him, community-based knowledge, when combined with government authority, would significantly strengthen efforts to curb insecurity.

He further warned that rural and border settlements often remain vulnerable, stressing that they deserve the same level of security attention as urban centres.

“The safety of rural and border communities must command the same seriousness and urgency as that of major cities,” the monarch said.

Oba Owoade also advocated stronger engagement between government and traditional institutions, emphasising that timely communication and intelligence sharing are essential for building public confidence and preventing panic.

He reaffirmed his support for Yoruba communities in Kwara State and commended Governor AbdulRazaq’s efforts in addressing security challenges, while the governor, in response, described the Alaafin as a unifying figure and assured of continued commitment to tackling insecurity across the state.