Terrorists Now Occupying Kishi, Oyo National Park, Says Gani Adams

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams, has said armed terrorists are now occupying Kishi, a town located in North West of Oyo State, as well as the Old Oyo National Park.

He said criminal elements had turned the areas into safe havens, kidnapping, raping and destroying means of livelihoods of the people and blocking their access to forest resources.

According to him, this development poses a great danger to the security of the area and of the entire South- West.

Gani Adams said this in a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Aderemi.

He said children, the aged and women are the most hit by the violent activities of the armed groups.

The statement read, “I have received numerous reports from Kishi, North West of Oyo State. The reports range from ceaseless kidnapping, rape and threat to lives of Yoruba people in the Oke Ogun area with Kishi as the present hub of terrorist attacks. It’s my responsibility to alert the public and also the relevant authorities.”

He said the occupation of the land by armed groups was an assault on Yoruba heritage and civilisation, saying that part of the forest host the sacred terbanacle of ancient Yoruba Alaafin whose graves were located in parts of the forest. The Ààrẹ Ona Kakanfo said he was ready, although with the approval of Oyo State Government and security agencies, to lead warriors to flush out the criminals.

He said recent intelligence report at his disposal indicated that the terrorists were now visible at the Old Oyo Game Reserve at Sooro village in Kishi town, Irepo Local Government of Oyo State.

He said further, “I have confirmed intelligence reports that the historic Kishi town has been ravaged by terrorists.

“Killing and kidnapping of over a hundred people is frightening and worrisome.

“The records are there.The recent Intelligence report from Kishi is too frightening because terrorists have taken over the area, with the number of victims growing by the day.

“We need to react to this senseless killings because of the timing and exigencies. I have sent the report to the Oyo state governor, Eng.Seyi Makinde. I have also alerted the Director General of Amotekun in Oyo state. I have also informed the Alaafin of Oyo, His imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, through a message to Alaafin’s Personal Assistant, and I have informed the Okere of Saki.

“The Aare in Council had earlier raised the alarm on the infiltration of terrorists and killer Fulani herdsmen in the region.The council said over 500 power bikes and assorted armour belonging to the terrorists have been physically sighted along the abandoned Lusada route moving towards Sokoto, from Igbo Ora in Oyo State.

“With the present situation, I think there is urgent need for the state government to address the spate of insecurity in the area. We are ready to support the government in keeping the terrorists at bay.

“With the approval of the Oyo state Government and other relevant security agencies, I can mobilise the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) comprising the Oodua Peoples Congress, Vigilante Group,South West Hunters Association, Yoruba Youth Council, Agbekoya Farmers Society Group,and Agbekoya Group to complement the efforts of the security agencies and ensure effective security and safety of the area by flushing out the criminal elements and terrorists that are invading our forest and old Oyo National Park which is our heritage in the southwest,” Aare Gani Adams said.