The revered Yoruba monarch says traditional institutions must play a more active role in confronting insecurity across the region.
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged Yoruba traditional rulers to deploy traditional mechanisms and community-based approaches in the fight against banditry and other security threats confronting parts of the South-West.
The monarch’s call comes amid growing concerns over the spread of violent crimes, including kidnapping and banditry, into communities that had previously enjoyed relative stability.
By urging traditional rulers to become more involved, the Ooni placed renewed attention on the role of traditional institutions as longstanding custodians of local security structures, cultural authority and community mobilisation.
His position reflects a broader conversation about how conventional security efforts can be complemented by local intelligence, community vigilance and indigenous conflict-resolution mechanisms within affected areas.
The appeal also underscores increasing concerns over insecurity in parts of the country, particularly as communities continue to seek effective responses to criminal activities that threaten lives and livelihoods.
Further details on specific measures proposed by the monarch were not immediately available at the time of reporting.