Nigeria May ‘Burn in Months’ Without State Police — Gani Adams Warns of Impending Security Collapse”
“Aare Gani Adams in an exclusive interview with New Telegram, warns that Nigeria faces a possible nationwide security collapse within months unless state police are urgently established. He speaks of banditry, terrorism, and the dangers of neglecting regional security structures.”
The National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Iba Gani Adams, has cautioned that Nigeria may face a severe security collapse in the coming months unless the Federal Government urgently approves the establishment of state police.
Adams, who is also the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, while expressing deep concern over the rising wave of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across the country, said Nigeria must be willing to seek external collaboration to combat the “persistent insurgency threatening national stability.”
Reacting to public criticism that he should personally lead his men to secure the South West, the Yoruba generalissimo insisted it would be “inappropriate and counterproductive” to deploy his forces without formal invitation or authorisation from government authorities.
In an exclusive interview with OLADIPUPO AWOJOBI, Adams discussed the worsening insecurity, the role of traditional institutions, and the urgent steps required to protect Nigeria.
Excerpts:
“Insecurity is spreading into the South West — we must prepare”
Speaking of the rising attacks across the country, Adams said the situation is becoming alarming.
“It is a serious issue and we are deeply concerned, especially as the wave of insecurity is moving from the Middle Belt into the South West,” he said. “What is happening in Kwara and Kogi States is worrisome to Yoruba communities there. Lives are being taken at will.”
He acknowledged that the South West remains relatively safer than other regions, but warned that recent incidents show growing threats.
“Even Kano, which I always regarded as a safe place, has come under daily attacks in the past month,” he added. “The North-West and Middle Belt are facing rampant criminality — Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto — everywhere.”
Adams credited the relative safety in the South West to the presence of “security-relevant groups” such as OPC, Agbekoya, local hunters, vigilantes and the Amotekun Corps.
However, he warned that intelligence reports indicate plans “to exterminate Yoruba people from Kwara and Kogi before moving into the South West.”
“We must not allow them to destroy the economic nerve centre of Nigeria,” he stressed.
“The government has not engaged me — not federal, not state, not traditional rulers”
When asked whether the government has sought his involvement in regional security, Adams said there has been no formal engagement.
“The Federal Government has not liaised with me. The governors have not liaised with me. Even traditional rulers have not reached out,” he stated.
Despite coordinating multiple Yoruba security networks — including the OPC, the South West Security Stakeholders Group and diaspora organisations — Adams said the government has “completely ignored” the office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo.
“I don’t know whether it is political,” he added. “But they can’t neglect someone with six million followers and strong grassroots structures across 104 countries.”
Adams stressed the need for a central coordinating platform between government and Yoruba security groups.
“If they think government agencies alone can handle this, they are deceiving themselves,” he warned.
“Without partnership, anyone defending their community risks being tagged as a criminal”
The OPC leader explained why he cannot independently mobilise his men.
“You can’t intrude into security operations without government approval,” he said.
“Mobilising 500 men into a forest without authorisation automatically signals a threat to the state. You will be arrested and labelled a criminal.”
He added that many OPC members have had bitter experiences in previous years for intervening without formal backing.
“This is not a banana republic. You must follow the due process,” he warned.
“I wrote to the governors two years ago — no response”
Adams revealed that he formally wrote to South West governors proposing partnership on regional security.
“It’s almost three years now and they have not responded,” he said.
“You cannot force yourself on the government.”
“State police is the only solution — without it, terrorists may burn Nigeria down in months”
The Aare reiterated his support for state policing.
“We need state police, community police, and local government police,” he said.
“All regions now agree that state police are overdue.”
Adams issued a strong warning:
“If we don’t establish state police now, within three to four months terrorists may burn this country down. They already display heavy arms in videos — even armoured tanks.”
