Ooni of Ife Calls on South-West Governors and Monarchs to Defend Yorubaland Amid Insecurity Surge

In a bid to address the urgent crisis of insecurity and kidnapping plaguing the South-West region, the Ooni Caucus, under the leadership of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has called upon governors and traditional rulers to take proactive measures to safeguard Yorubaland. The Caucus emphasized the necessity of strategic planning and collaboration to confront the escalating security challenges facing the region.

During an Extraordinary Meeting, the Ooni Caucus, represented by Coordinator Balogun Akin Osuntokun and Secretary-General Dr. Yomi Layinka, issued a communique urging South-West governors to provide adequate resources and logistical support for the Amotekun security outfit. Additionally, the Caucus expressed heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by recent violent incidents, including the brutal killings of traditional rulers and kidnappings of school children.

Recognizing the inadequacies of the existing security apparatus, the Ooni Caucus called for the establishment of a military base in Ekiti State to reinforce security efforts. Furthermore, the Caucus advocated for constitutional amendments to decentralize the Nigerian police force, enabling the creation of state and community-based policing systems.

The communique highlighted the importance of empowering local law enforcement agencies and enhancing collaboration with ex-servicemen to bolster security across communities. The Ooni Caucus commended the achievements of the Amotekun security outfit and emphasized the need for increased support and resources from South-West state governments.

In addition to Amotekun, the Ooni Caucus encouraged the activation of other pro-Yoruba communal security groups, including the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) led by Chief Sunday Igboho. The Caucus underscored the role of economic interventions, skills development, and job creation in addressing underlying socio-economic factors contributing to insecurity.

The Ooni Caucus urged political leaders to promote community-based security initiatives and engage in regular consultations with South-West governors to identify and address security threats effectively. Traditional rulers were called upon to hold mandatory meetings to discuss actions to promote and defend Yoruba heritage and strengthen the institution of traditional leadership.

Lastly, the Ooni Caucus emphasized the importance of holding individuals and institutions accountable for compromising Yoruba interests and called upon President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his pledge of support for decentralization and devolution of powers in Nigeria.

In conclusion, the Ooni Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Yorubaland and urged all stakeholders to unite in addressing the security challenges facing the region.