•We must invoke unseen security —Elebuibon
•Create special units in all forests —Gani Adams


ILE-IFE — THE ripples generated by the recent ignominious killing of three Yoruba traditional rulers in Ekiti and Kwara states by bandits will linger for a while. It is a desecration of the highly revered traditional title in the South-West zone of the country. Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in the streets of Ashkelon!

No wonder the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi had to convene a security summit for stakeholders in the region, where he advocated a return to traditional means of ensuring security of lives and property in the region.
In the olden days, no one could conceive the idea of committing such a sacrilege. Lifting your hands against an Oba? Never! But, modernity appears to have eroded the traditional power of the kings.

Oba Adeyeye, who stressed the need for traditional rulers to return to their roots in a bid to regain the potency of their traditional power like in ancient days, said it is time to flush criminals out of the forests in Yorubaland to allow farmers to return to the farm and ensure food security in the region.

He urged the over 200 traditional rulers at the gathering to revive the tradition to collaborate with traditionalists to secure their various lands and people.

Kings are custodians of tradition

Still gingering his fellow royal majesties to rise from their slumber, Oba Adeyeye said: “It is time for you the traditional rulers to realise that you are custodians of tradition and culture, including safeguarding your communities and its dwellers. For us to achieve these objectives, we must go back to our roots, we must preserve tradition in a bid to regain territorial control over evil forces.”

The killing of Yoruba monarchs by bandits, the paramount ruler continued, is an abomination that must not be allowed to happen again, hence, they must all return to tradition and seek collaboration with practitioners, not just to fortify themselves but also to ensure the safety of their subjects.

Yoruba science defends people against external threats —Elebuibon

One of the keynote speakers and Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon stated that apart from the fact that the Federal Government is working on State Police, there is a need for Yoruba monarchs to embrace Yoruba traditional belief in invoking spiritual protection in their various domains.

Elebuibon said: “Furthermore, in the context of security, and the protection of lives and property, the Yoruba people were renowned for their formidable preparedness and comprehensive strategies. Yoruba science encompasses a multifaceted array of traditional knowledge, spiritual practices, and practical strategies aimed at safeguarding communities, defending against external threats, and ensuring the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

“The Yoruba approaches to security and protection reflect a deep understanding of the complex dynamics of power, conflict, and resilience. For instance, the establishment of markets close to the Palace was a strategic move, where the presence of Esu Oja, the guardian of the market, symbolised not only the protection of economic activities but also served as a spiritual safeguard for the community. Similarly, there is also esu within the palaces.

“In Yoruba land, every town has a designated spot known as Ogun Ojalu. Traditionally located around the palace, this sacred spot requires annual appeasement rituals in both times of war and peace.

“In the ancient city of Osogbo, the Ogun Ojalu holds significant importance and is subjected to specific rituals. During the annual Ifa festival, ceremonies are conducted, accompanied by songs and drumming. Notably, after the rituals, the Araba and the rest of the Babalawos participate in a dance ritual, circling the spot nine times, symbolizing reverence and adherence to tradition.”

Create special units in all forests —Gani Adams

Another speaker at the summit, the Aare Onakankanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, canvassed for the transformation of Amotekun corps into state police with a special unit to be tagged Forest unit to be stationed in various forests across the region for the security of farmlands and farmers.
He, however, stressed the need for collaboration between the state governors and the various local security outfits in a bid to genuinely safeguard Yorubaland.

S-West govs absent at security summit

Surprisingly, South-West governors, who should be at the forefront of the security meeting, were visibly absent.
This angered the Aare Onakakanfo a bit as he said: “This meeting is long overdue in Yorubaland but surprisingly, no state governor is present here. You must pressurise the governors to summon a similar summit in a bid to give the decisions taken here strong legal backing.”

In addition, Adams said: “If the governors in the region are willing to work with the several security units within the Oodua People’s Congress, then, the issue of insecurity in the region, if not eradicated, would be significantly dealt with and peace would be restored to all the forests in the region.”

We were attacked for our efforts against insecurity —Alara of Ara

One of the traditional rulers in Ekiti State, who escaped assassination from assailants, Alara of Ara, in Ikole, Oba Sunday Fatoba, also disclosed that the attackers wielded guns with other weapons, unleashing mayhem on him and two others, including the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, and the Olumojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olusola.

His words: “Our attackers did not attempt to kidnap us but to kill the three of us in the car. We went for a security meeting with the monarch of Koro-Ekiti, who was killed a few days after the attack on us. We created a special security team among the communities to curtail the rising insecurity because of our proximity to the North.”