Gani Adams accused South-West governors and security authorities of ignoring repeated intelligence warnings about terrorist infiltration across the region, saying the Oriire school abduction in Oyo State could have been prevented with stronger collaboration between governments and local security groups.
According to PUNCH interview with Gani Adams, intelligence gathered over the past two years identified terrorist presence in at least 40 of the 137 local government areas across the South-West. He said the information was documented but yielded little action because authorities allegedly failed to engage grassroots security structures such as the Oodua People’s Congress, hunters’ associations, vigilante groups and the Amotekun Corps.
Adams argued that one of the major failures was the refusal of state governments to formally collaborate with local security stakeholders who understand the terrain and can provide intelligence support. He claimed that local outfits have repeatedly sought operational approval and coordination from governors but were largely sidelined.
He also criticised restrictions placed on regional security outfits, especially the inability of Amotekun operatives to carry sophisticated weapons comparable to those used by heavily armed terrorists. According to him, this imbalance weakens local resistance efforts and leaves communities vulnerable during attacks.
On the Oriire school invasion, Adams described the attackers as “terrorists” rather than bandits, saying they were operating with guerrilla warfare tactics linked to international extremist networks such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and ISWAP. He alleged that some attackers entered through border routes connected to Kwara State and the Benin Republic.
Adams further warned that the South-West remains a strategic target because of its economic importance, claiming that terrorists were “testing the waters” with smaller attacks before attempting larger coordinated operations across states including Lagos State, Ogun State, Osun State, Ondo State and Ekiti State.
He maintained that local groups could help confront the threat if governors formally approved collaboration and security operations. However, he stressed that any large-scale mobilisation without state authorisation could expose participants to arrest for illegal possession of arms and unlawful security operations.
Adams also renewed his support for state police, arguing that regional security challenges require decentralised policing structures. He questioned why the proposal had not yet materialised despite repeated public support from Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The comments come amid growing concern over the abduction of dozens of pupils, students and teachers during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area. Security agencies say rescue operations are ongoing.
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