The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on traditional rulers across Yorubaland to harness ancestral institutions and cultural values in the fight against banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities threatening the region.
According to a statement by his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, the monarch made the call during the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival. He urged traditional rulers to strengthen cooperation among themselves and work closely with security agencies to rid their communities of criminal elements.
“We must bring together our traditional powers, spiritual heritage, and communal values to chase b@ndits, kidn@ppers, and all criminal elements out of Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. Our ancestors stood for justice, peace, and communal harmony, and we must invoke those values at this critical time.
“We must rise collectively against the menace of banditry and kidnapping. Enough is enough. Our people deserve to live in peace and move freely without fear.”
“Traditional rulers must take greater responsibility for safeguarding their communities while supporting the government and security agencies,” he said.
The Ooni acknowledged that insecurity remains a major challenge for the Federal Government but commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing efforts to address the situation nationwide.
He stressed that lasting peace requires collective action, saying, “This is a time for unity. The government alone cannot solve the security challenges facing the nation. Traditional institutions, religious leaders, community stakeholders, and citizens must work together in support of ongoing efforts to secure our country.”
As part of activities marking the festival, the monarch also offered ancestral prayers for the safe return of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states, describing the incidents as painful and unacceptable.
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