As Oyo State celebrates its 50th anniversary, residents of Iresa-Adu, a key border town in Surulere Local Government Area, say the milestone is overshadowed by insecurity and the continued absence of a traditional ruler for nearly nine years.
The concerns come amid recent security incidents across the state. Following the killing of forest guards by unknown assailants in Oloka town, the Oyo State Police Command announced the arrest of two suspected cattle rustlers in Iresa-Adu, reigniting fears about the vulnerability of border communities.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayin, said operatives of the Iresa-Adu Division apprehended the suspects, identified as Abu Muhammed and Aliu Bello, and recovered 26 stolen cows valued at approximately N6.25 million.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the public that two suspected cattle rustlers have been apprehended following a swift response to a report received at Iresa-Adu Division,” the statement read.
“During the operation, twenty-six stolen cows were successfully recovered, reflecting the results of coordinated police and community efforts.”
While residents commended the police for the swift action, they warned that the arrest highlights deeper security gaps in the area, which they partly attribute to the prolonged vacancy of the Aresa of Iresa-Adu stool.
Iresa-Adu, which oversees several towns and villages and shares borders with Kwara and Osun states, has remained without a first-class monarch for nearly a decade. Residents say this has weakened coordination among communities at a time when border areas are increasingly exposed to banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling.
Neighbouring Kwara State has recorded multiple bandit attacks and abductions in recent months, heightening fears that criminals may exploit porous borders to infiltrate Oyo State.
“The Aresa is traditionally a unifying authority capable of mobilising communities, traditional institutions, and security agencies,” a resident told the Vanguard correspondent.
“Without leadership, villages are left to operate in isolation, making community-based security less effective.”
Police said the suspects were intercepted around Odojaye via Aganyan, a village close to Iresa-Adu, about 15 minutes from Ogbomoso. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects attempted to conceal the stolen cattle before their arrest.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the theft and provided details of their criminal network,” the statement said, adding that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
Residents have renewed calls on the Oyo State Government to resolve the long-standing Aresa-Adu kingship crisis, warning that continued delays could further weaken security coordination along the border.
As the state reflects on 50 years of existence, locals in Iresa-Adu insist that restoring traditional leadership and strengthening security must be central to the future the anniversary is meant to celebrate.
