Gani Adams reveals why offensive against herdsmen is on hold

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, has revealed why he has not given the go-ahead for an offensive against killer herdsmen ravaging the southwestern part of the country.

Gani Adams who explained why he is incapacitated to lead his men against marauders on Thursday night during his visit to the Akure residence of National Leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio-political organization, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, however said strategies are being put in place.

The Aare Ona Kankafo who condoled with Pa Fasoranti over the murder of his daughter, Mrs. Funke Olakunri by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen last week Friday, said killings by herdsmen would no longer be condoned within Yoruba land.

He said; “We can no longer allow our people to be killed like chickens. We can’t keep quite while Yorubas are being killed like fouls.

“It’s very important that we have to react to this issue but we will not over react. We are being cautious so that we won’t be setup. And the law is there that we have to operate within the ambit of the law. That is one of the reasons we are being careful.

“My own Aare Ona Kakanfo is a modern one. It is not that of the olden days where the Alaafin and some Yoruba Obas with the Oyo Mesi will declare war and you can go to war.

“We have the structure of security on ground, the entire security apparatus.

“We have to be careful not to go into their trap. We have to be careful. It is good you see me in circulation to walk with you. We don’t want a situation we walk into their trap because we realize that this ugly incident is being coordinated beyond our own scene. There are some forces behind them.

Read also: OLAKUNRI’S DEATH: Gani Adams declares war on ‘Fulani invaders’

“How can ordinary Fulani herdsmen be holding AK 47? In our findings, one AK 47 rifle goes for about N1 million and with many bullets. So, we are looking beyond ordinary Fulani herdsmen.

“We realized that there are some forces behind them in three phases. Those who strike in the bush, those who issued statement to back them up and those who are strategists who give instructions, to those who strike and to those who issue statements.

“Our problem in Yoruba land is that we don’t prepare, we always react. When we tell our people to prepare, they employ nonchalant attitude to it.”

Gani Adams added that the collaboration of the state governors within the south west is germane towards confronting the situation.

He also stated that he has received assurances from security agencies of stepping up efforts at ensuring effective surveillance on the notorious spots that have been identified.

“We are having different meetings on different organizations and we are planning to have a synergy with our state government in the south west.

“Don’t forget, that the governors are the chief security officers of their states and in a sensitive security situation like this we have to be very careful not to jump the gun.

“But I can tell you authoritatively that we are meeting as a group and as stakeholders to map out strategies to complement efforts of the law enforcement agencies,” he added part.

 

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