The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has says they have picked up intelligence that terrorist groups responsible for recent attacks in Northern Nigeria are planning coordinated assaults across South-West states.

Aare Ona Kakanfo in Yoruba is rendered as a general of the native protective forces.

Adams alleged that Kogi and Kwara are being used as “testing grounds” ahead of the assault.

He, who is also the national coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), issued the warning in an interview with News Central TV channel following attacks and abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states.

Speaking from his Lagos residence, he expressed concern over the growing security threats facing the country.

“Our country is in a serious security threat; what is happening in most of the states now calls for concern,” Adams said.

He claimed intelligence available to him indicates that armed groups have already infiltrated several communities across Yorubaland.

He described Kogi and Kwara as strategic gateways into the region, alleging that recent violence there was part of a broader plan.

“What they are doing in Kwara is just a test of grounds to start the major attacks in the South-West. The information at our disposal is that they want to attack Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, and Lagos states,” he said.

"What they are doing in Kogi and Kwara is just a test of ground to start the major attacks in the South-West. The information in our disposal is that they want to attack Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos States."

— Gani Adams.
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

pic.twitter.com/qpjaWErSYF

— OurFaveOnlineDoc 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) November 22, 2025

Adams further alleged that the groups involved are coordinated by external actors pursuing varied motivations.

“This thing is being coordinated by some foreigners; it goes beyond Nigerians. One of the reasons behind these attacks is three issues: it’s religiously motivated, economically motivated, and ethnicity is there,” he added.

Osun State Fortifies Security Amid Rising Threats

The warning comes in the aftermath of several major attacks in Northern Nigeria. On Friday, terrorists abducted more than 300 pupils, students, and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School in Agwara, Niger State.

Earlier in the week, attackers invaded Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi, kidnapping 25 female students and killing one staff member.

In Kwara State, gunmen attacked a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, killing three worshippers and abducting the pastor and several congregants.

Adams said these incidents form part of a pattern of escalating threats, stressing that the situation demands urgent nationwide attention.

“Credible information available to us indicates that terrorists have already infiltrated many communities in Yorubaland,” he reiterated.

In response, the Osun State Government says it is taking its own specific measures, putting security forces on the vigilance across the state.

Governor Ademola Adeleke announced on Saturday that his administration has adopted proactive strategies to prevent infiltration of criminal elements.

In a statement posted on X, Adeleke revealed that over the past three weeks, a series of high-level security meetings had been held with service chiefs and community stakeholders from border areas.

“Concrete actions are being taken to ensure vigilance and strengthen our capacity to repel any form of incursion,” he said.

The governor noted that the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of State Security (DSS), the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have all given special attention to Osun, with ongoing strategic deployments across identified areas of concern.

Adeleke directed the Amotekun Corps to work closely with the police and other agencies to strengthen safety and protection. He appealed to residents to provide credible information and promptly report any strange movements.

“I encourage us all to be security conscious and to go about our lawful businesses without any fear. Our government remains with the people, committed to delivering good governance and democratic dividends across all sectors,” Adeleke concluded.