Communities under the Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State are set to hold an emergency stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, amid growing fears of banditry spilling over from neighbouring Kwara State.
The meeting will bring together residents, youth, elders, and religious leaders from towns, villages, and territories within Aresa-Adu lands, which share a political zone with Oriire LGA. The call comes weeks after students and teachers were abducted in Oriire LGA, with one teacher killed.
For months, residents in Iresa-Adu have raised alarm over the sighting and settlement of unknown persons in the outskirts of the area. Coordinated community response has been difficult, as the Aresa-Adu stool has been vacant for nearly eight years.
The urgency is heightened by Iresa-Adu’s proximity to Kwara State. Both Surulere and Oriire LGAs share borders with the state, where bandits have attacked several villages over the past two years, forcing residents to abandon their homes.
Security incidents in the area have intensified this year. In January, cattle rustlers were apprehended near Iresa-Adu town centre in an operation carried out by the Nigeria Police Force. In February, a viral video showed armed men intercepted in Iresa-Adu by security operatives. Guns, cutlasses, charms, and other weapons were recovered from the suspects. The incidents have heightened suspicion across all five local governments in the Ogbomoso zone.
According to High Chief Bara of Aresa-Adu, the meeting will cover all communities on Aresa-Adu lands.
“The general meeting slated for Tuesday will be a meeting of the entire communities on the territories of Aresa-Adu lands, both young and old, including community and religious leaders. It is necessary to take proactive measures to prevent and dissuade criminal elements from pouring into Aresa-Adu lands,” he said.
Community elder Pa Oladipo said residents were determined to act to protect their families and livelihoods.
“We have to find a way to protect ourselves. We live here with our children and family. We source for our daily bread within our communities. The least we can do is to come together and assist the Government on how to properly keep our towns and villages safe from both internal and external incursions,” he said.
He added that radio broadcasts and other channels are being used to mobilize attendance for the meeting.
Residents hope the gathering will produce concrete steps to improve local security and coordinate with government agencies to prevent further incursions.
