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Combat banditry in your states with natural power, Yoruba leaders advise monarchs

Published by Fakinlede Tope John on March 2nd, 2024.

Combat banditry in your states with natural power, Yoruba leaders advise monarchs

Oni of Ife

Traditional rulers in the South-West have advised Obas in states across the South West to combat banditry and kidnapping and take back control of their farmlands and forests.

The leaders also called for strong support from the Yoruba race for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

This was contained in a communique issued and signed by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, and eight traditional rulers at a one-day Yoruba security summit held at Ife Grand Resort, Ile-Ife, on Thursday.

The summit convened by the Ooni of Ife, was attended by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and traditional rulers across Yoruba land.

Among monarchs in attendance included the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III; Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade; Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole; and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi.

The summit condemned what it called organised systematic attacks on traditional rulers and eminent sons and daughters of Yoruba land by suspected herders.

It resolved that the Yoruba race should take full control of their forests, homelands and farmlands, observing that the herdsmen attacks have been largely responsible for food scarcity in the South-West.

That the Yoruba, especially the traditional rulers should make recourse to their natural resources including natural powers to combat banditry and kidnapping; that Yoruba Obas should not jettison traditional values.

It called for the strengthening of the Amotekun Corps in terms of motivation, finances, training and retraining of personnel and equipment.

The summit charged local, state and Federal Governments to employ the use of drones and other appropriate technology for the effective surveillance of forests and roads.