𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵-𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁: 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗯𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗧𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

Yoruba traditional rulers and cultural leaders have expressed support for the call by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urging the use of ancestral and traditional approaches alongside conventional security efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the Southwest.

The development follows growing concerns over kidnapping and attacks, including the abduction of pupils, students and teachers in Oyo State, which has intensified calls for stronger measures to protect communities.

The Ooni of Ife had during the 2026 Ifa festival appealed to traditional rulers across Yorubaland to mobilise their spiritual heritage and communal structures against bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Reacting to the call, some Yoruba monarchs and traditionalists said indigenous security systems remain relevant and could support efforts to safeguard communities.

The Olojudo of Ido and former Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, said traditional methods had historically been used to protect communities and could still play a role in the fight against insecurity.

He maintained that Yoruba traditional institutions possess ancestral knowledge that, when properly applied, can contribute to protecting the people.

A traditionalist, Ogundeji Elebuibon, also argued that forests across the Southwest could be better secured through cooperation between governments, traditional authorities and local security groups.

He called for a security summit involving traditional custodians to explore additional ways of addressing threats in rural areas.

The Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, said traditional institutions were prepared to support security efforts but stressed that such actions must be carried out responsibly and within the law.

However, some stakeholders cautioned that traditional interventions should complement, rather than replace, the work of security agencies.

The International Council for Ifa Religion said spiritual and cultural approaches should be viewed as part of broader community efforts involving government, security agencies and citizens.

The Yoruba Commitment Forum also raised concerns about constitutional limits and the need for strategic coordination in handling security matters.

Community leaders said the debate also highlights concerns over the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage, arguing that traditional values historically played roles in governance, protection and social organisation.

Meanwhile, security remains a major concern across parts of the Southwest as communities continue to demand urgent action against kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.