We Must Use Our Ancestral Strength” — Ooni Calls for Traditional, Spiritual Action to Combat Rising Ins£curity in the Southwest
“We Must Use Our Ancestral Strength” — Ooni Calls for Traditional, Spiritual Action to Combat Rising Ins£curity in the Southwest
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has urged Yoruba traditional rulers to deploy indigenous systems, ancestral institutions, and cultural values in the fight against banditry, kidn&pping, and other cr!minal activities across 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 called for stronger cooperation among traditional rulers and closer collaboration with security agencies to rid communities of cr!m;nal elements.
“We must bring together our traditional powers, spiritual heritage, and communal values to chase band!ts, k!dn&ppers, and all cr;minal 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,” the Ooni said.
He stressed that traditional institutions must take greater responsibility in safeguarding communities while supporting government efforts.
The monarch also noted that ins£curity remains a major national challenge, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to address it.
“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,” he added.
As part of the festival activities, the Ooni offered prayers for the safe return of schoolchildren and teachers abd¥cted in recent att&cks in Oyo and Borno States, describing the incidents as painful and unacceptable.
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