‘There’s a Plot to Carry Out Massive Attacks in Lagos, Other South-West States’ — Gani Adams Raises Alarm

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has issued a stark warning over what he described as an imminent and coordinated terrorist onslaught being plotted against major states in the South-West region.

 

Adams, who spoke during an interview with News Central Television on Friday, said credible intelligence at his disposal indicates that militants are gathering around strategic locations in Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo States, awaiting what he called a “signal” from their foreign sponsors before launching full-scale attacks.

 

His revelation comes amid rising insecurity across the country and a troubling pattern of attacks recently recorded in parts of Kogi and Kwara States. According to Adams, these earlier incidents were not isolated cases, but “tests of ground” allegedly designed by the attackers to assess the vulnerability of the region before advancing toward more populous and economically significant states in the South-West.

 

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Adams, who occupies one of the most culturally revered titles in Yorubaland, expressed deep concern over what he fears could become a large-scale security crisis if not tackled immediately. He said the signals emerging from various communities and intelligence networks suggest an urgent need for coordinated intervention by both the government and local security stakeholders.

 

“What they are doing in Kogi and Kwara is just a test of ground,” Adams said during the interview. “The information at our disposal is that they want to attack Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos State. This is not a rumour or a baseless fear. This is credible intelligence that must not be ignored.”

 

The Aare Onakakanfo noted that the pattern of recent attacks across the Middle Belt region mirrors the early warning signs that preceded major security breakdowns in other parts of the country, particularly in the North-West and North-East, where communities were caught unprepared despite several alerts issued by civic leaders and local security operatives.

 

He warned that failing to respond swiftly could expose the South-West to the kind of widespread destruction, fear and displacement that have plagued other regions for years.

 

Mounting Security Concerns

 

Over the past months, the country has witnessed a resurgence of terror attacks, kidnappings and communal violence, with several states struggling to contain the boldness and operational sophistication of armed groups. Analysts say the spread of attacks from the North to the Middle Belt and now potentially to the South-West is indicative of a broader strategy by criminal and extremist networks to expand their spheres of influence.

 

Adams emphasized that while security agencies have recorded some successes, the pace of attacks suggests gaps in surveillance, intelligence-sharing and rapid response systems. He argued that the South-West, despite its comparative calmness, is not insulated from the insecurity ravaging the country. He added that advisers and local watchdog groups within the region have been independently observing unusual movements and suspicious settlements at border communities.

 

“We have been monitoring them,” he said. “Our people on the ground have seen strange faces. Some of these elements are armed. They are not hiding. They move in and out of forests around our border towns, and these things should worry anyone who knows the history of insecurity in Nigeria.”

 

Foreign Sponsorship Alleged

 

One of the most alarming aspects of Adams’ warning is the claim that the planned attacks have connections to foreign sponsors. While he did not reveal details of these alleged sponsors or their countries of origin, he insisted that the intelligence pointing to external support is credible enough to take seriously.

 

According to him, the militants encircling the affected states are receiving instructions from outside Nigeria and are expected to launch coordinated strikes once the signal is given. He described the situation as a “networked operation” requiring equally coordinated countermeasures.

 

Security experts who have monitored similar threats in the past say foreign-backed terror cells often begin by infiltrating rural and border areas, gradually setting up logistics, recruiting local collaborators and studying the terrain before executing significant attacks. Adams’ warning appears to align with this pattern, further heightening alarm among residents and observers.

 

Call for Government Action

 

The Aare Onakakanfo called on the Federal Government, South-West governors and traditional institutions to treat his warning with utmost seriousness. He said security cannot be left exclusively in the hands of federal agencies who may be stretched thin across multiple crisis zones. Instead, he advocated for a regional security synergy that includes community-based intelligence, traditional rulers, local vigilantes and the police.

 

He also urged governors to strengthen the Amotekun Corps, describing it as a critical line of defence against infiltration. According to him, Amotekun operatives—being familiar with their local terrain—are better positioned to detect early signs of danger that may be missed by federal forces unfamiliar with the environment.

 

“Amotekun must be empowered, funded and armed within the legal framework,” he said. “This is not the time for bureaucracy or political hesitation. If they succeed in entering our major cities, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

 

Residents Urged to Be Vigilant

 

Adams extended his warning to residents across the South-West, urging them to remain alert and to promptly report suspicious activities. He stressed that communities must not ignore unusual gatherings, unknown individuals settling near forests, or signs of movement through unmonitored routes.

 

He further encouraged traditional rulers, community leaders and local hunters to increase surveillance around border towns, forests and rural highways that could serve as entry points for attackers.

 

A Looming Crisis if Ignored

 

Concluding his remarks, Adams warned that Nigeria cannot afford another full-scale security meltdown, especially in a region that serves as the economic engine of the country. Lagos alone hosts major ports, commercial hubs and critical infrastructure whose disruption would have nationwide consequences.

 

“This is a looming crisis,” he said. “But it can still be prevented. The intelligence is there. The signs are there. What is needed is urgent action.”

 

As Nigerians await an official reaction from federal and state authorities, the latest alert adds to growing concerns that the insecurity destabilizing parts of the country is steadily migrating southward—unless decisive steps are taken immediately.