The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has called on the Federal Government to incorporate traditional oath-taking, indigenous intelligence networks and community-based security structures into Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.
The monarch said Yoruba traditional institutions possess time-tested mechanisms capable of complementing conventional security agencies, particularly in rural communities where criminal activities have continued to thrive.
Oba Owoade made the call on Saturday at the grand finale of the 2026 Egungun Festival held at the ancient palace in Oyo, according to a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Call of the Ancestors for the Protection of Yorubaland,” the Alaafin urged the Federal Government to integrate traditional institutions and native intelligence into the country’s National Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
He said traditional rulers, Isese practitioners, local hunters and farmers’ groups, including Agbekoya, possess extensive knowledge of forests, border communities and local terrains, making them critical assets in tracking criminal elements and preventing attacks.
According to the monarch, community-based vigilance systems rooted in Yoruba traditional institutions can provide timely intelligence on suspicious movements, the influx of strangers and other emerging security threats.
Oba Owoade also defended the Yoruba tradition of oath-taking before deities, saying it has historically served as an effective deterrent against betrayal, corruption and violent crimes because of the strong spiritual consequences associated with violating such oaths.
He argued that the values of Ìwà (good character), communal responsibility and respect for elders embedded in Yoruba traditional religion could help address the moral decline fueling insecurity across the country.
“The formal integration of these indigenous security and intelligence frameworks into the country’s broader security architecture is imperative,” the monarch said.
He added that Nigeria’s worsening security challenges require innovative and home-grown solutions that combine conventional policing with indigenous knowledge and grassroots intelligence gathering.
The Alaafin further urged Nigerians to preserve and promote their cultural heritage, saying properly packaged Yoruba cultural festivals could boost tourism, attract adherents from the African diaspora and stimulate economic growth.
He described Yoruba civilisation as one of Africa’s most enduring cultural legacies, noting that the Ifa knowledge system has gained global recognition despite not being a proselytising religion.
Other speakers at the event, including the representative of the Minister of Culture and National Orientation, Adeniyi Odekanyn, the representative of the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, and Prof. Akinkunmi of the Faculty of Arts and Culture, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, also stressed the relevance of the Egungun institution in fostering peace and social order.
They said masquerade institutions have historically served as impartial arbiters in resolving communal disputes, enforcing ethical conduct and strengthening social cohesion.
The speakers added that the annual Egungun festival also contributes to economic development by attracting tourists, supporting local businesses, promoting indigenous textiles and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs across Yorubaland.
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