The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has made a passionate appeal for the protection of farmers, farmlands, and forests across the Southwest region of Nigeria, warning that the continuous threats to agricultural areas could trigger a severe food crisis if urgent action is not taken.
Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), emphasized that the rising insecurity in rural communities is discouraging food production and threatening agricultural businesses.
He noted that many farmers now live in fear of being attacked and are unable to freely access their farms—a development that, if left unchecked, could jeopardize food security and economic stability in the region.
He made these remarks in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, during the National Coordinating Council’s open-air meeting of the OPC. Adams stated that the gathering was organized to enlighten members on the progress and direction of the organization, promote discipline, and instill moral uprightness among its ranks.
“The purpose of this meeting is not only to address internal matters of the OPC, but also to reorient our members on our values and to assess how far we’ve gone with our operations,” Adams explained.
“It is important that our members maintain good character and conduct themselves responsibly within the society.”
Speaking further, Adams reiterated the need for a proactive approach in safeguarding the region’s agricultural assets, while also calling for enhanced youth protection. He stressed that without adequate security, farming and other related commercial activities would continue to decline.
“There is an agricultural element rooted in the culture of Yorubaland,” he said. “If we fail to protect our farmers, the entire agricultural ecosystem—including food production and distribution—will collapse. We must ensure our youths and farmers are safe wherever they are.”
The Yoruba leader also expressed concern over the persistent security threats in some parts of the region, citing the activities of criminal herdsmen, bandits, and other dangerous groups.
According to him, despite repeated outreach to the governors of the Southwest states, including letters proposing a partnership with the OPC and other security stakeholders under the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), no formal response has been received.
“Governors are the chief security officers of their states, and we respect that. But they cannot do it alone. We have consistently reached out, proposing collaboration to support their security efforts through the SSSG. Unfortunately, we have not gotten any feedback, even as security threats continue to persist in our communities,” he lamented.
Adams reassured the public that the OPC is not seeking to override or interfere with existing security structures but is rather offering to serve as a complementary force to strengthen community safety. He urged the governors to work hand in hand with his organization to combat crime and restore peace and order across the Southwest.
“We are not trying to disrupt or replace the established security systems,” he clarified. “As a private security outfit with deep community roots, we are willing to assist the state governments to bring about peace, stability, and security. It is only through collaboration and shared responsibility that we can effectively tackle the threats facing our region,” Adams concluded.
Additionally, he highlighted the global outreach of the organization, noting that through the Oodua People’s Union (OPU), the OPC now has active chapters in over 103 countries, reinforcing its commitment to cultural promotion and global solidarity among Yoruba people.