Traditional leaders from the South-West region convened in Ile-Ife, Osun State, to address the growing security challenges affecting their communities. They voiced concerns over the increasing attacks targeting Yoruba rulers and influential figures, particularly highlighting the encroachment of herders in Yorubaland.
Representatives from Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Ogun states, including prominent figures like the Ooni of Ife and the Olowo of Owo, emphasized the pressing need to expedite the establishment of State Police to bolster regional security. They urged the Federal Government to fulfill its promise to activate state police forces, stressing the paramount importance of safeguarding their people.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, called for united efforts among South-West monarchs to tackle insecurity effectively. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with local security outfits and advocating for genuine federalism to institute a robust policing system.
In a joint communique, the traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife and Akarigbo of Remo, attributed the attacks by herdsmen to food insecurity and scarcity in the region.
They urged Yoruba Obas to leverage natural resources and traditional powers to counter banditry and kidnapping while maintaining and upholding traditional values. Additionally, the communique called for the recognition of the roles of traditional rulers in the national security architecture and emphasized the need for a strengthened judicial process to ensure justice for offenders.
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