Gani Adams slams FG over Plateau, Benue killing, demands urgent security overhaul

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has urged the Federal Government to immediately reform the nation’s security framework, warning that continued neglect could lead to the unraveling of national unity and stability.

Speaking at the grand finale of the 2025 Eledumare Festival in Lagos on Tuesday, Adams voiced serious concerns about the intensifying violence in Plateau, Benue, and Ondo states, where attacks by suspected armed herders have resulted in numerous fatalities and displaced thousands of residents.

Describing the killings as “barbaric” and “a direct affront to the values of peace and love that should unite Nigeria,” the Yoruba leader condemned the ongoing bloodshed.

“No nation can thrive when one segment of its population resorts to violent acts against another. What we are witnessing is a slide into chaos, and the Federal Government must urgently recalibrate its security strategy,” Adams said.

He further stressed that the violence is not only undermining security but also jeopardising food production, with states like Benue, Plateau, and Ondo playing key roles in the nation’s agricultural sector. The unrest, he warned, also creates an atmosphere of instability that deters foreign investment.

Adams criticised what he described as the government’s willful negligence, accusing it of prioritising the political advantages of a centralised policing system over the genuine security needs of the country.

“You cannot, for the sake of political gain, continue to disregard what would significantly benefit the nation. The time for action is now. We must act resolutely in the interest of the people,” he declared.

He reiterated his call for a restructuring of Nigeria’s governance, particularly advocating for the establishment of state and local government police forces. According to Adams, such reforms would bring security closer to the people and allow communities to respond more effectively to emerging threats.

In addition to his security concerns, Adams spoke on the spiritual and cultural importance of the Eledumare Festival, highlighting it as a celebration of divine providence and the unity of the Yoruba people.