Ayodele Bamidele

Banditry has taken toll on traditional institution, especially in the South West of Nigeria which has prompted stakeholders to rise in defence of the royalty.

Investigation revealed that from Ondo to Ekiti, Ogun even to neighbouring state of Kwara, traditional rulers have been attacked, abducted and even killed by suspected Fulanis herdsmen, that invaded palaces and kidnapped kings.

As at last count, not less than seven monarch have fallen victims as they were killed by their abductors.

In Ondo state, the Olufon of Ifon in Ose local government, Oba Israel Adeusi, was brutally murdered by unknown gunmen at Elegbeka, while returning from a Council of Obas meeting in Akure, few meters away from his community.

“This heinous act not only left Ifon without its traditional ruler but also marked the beginning of a series of violent attacks and kidnappings of traditional rulers.The once-thriving town is now plagued by fear and insecurity, forcing many residents to flee their homes,” according to report.

Just last month, Oba Kehinde Falodun, the Alagamọ of Agamọ community in Akure North local government area of, was hacked to death by suspected Bandits, who invaded his palace.
It was gathered that not less than 10 unknown gunmen invaded the palace and started shooting sporadically.

According to a family source, the bandits came to his palace in the evening with a plan to kidnap the monarch but the attempted abduction was repelled by him.

Report added that the gunmen shot the monarch several times, but the bullets did not penetrate his body and they later used another weapon to hit Oba Falodun on the head which led to his death.

The monarch’s Wife, who also confirmed the incident, stated that the assilants were speaking Hausa, and came through Itaogbolu axis of the community.

From Ekiti comes report of killing of two traditional rulers while returning from a meeting at a neighbouring community.

The two traditional rulers were tragically killed by gunmen. The Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, and the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, were ambushed and shot dead along the Oke-Ako road in Ikole Local Government Area. The Alara of Ara-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, who was with them, managed to escape.

Also, the Elewu of Ewu, in Ilejemeje local government area, Oba Adetutu Ajayi narrowly escaped death after he was shot between Ewu and Ayetoro Ekiti, while his colleagues at Ilemesho, Oba David Oyewumi was unlucky as he was abducted right inside his palace by heavily armed suspected kidnappers.

A first class monarch in Ekiti state has blamed his colleagues that have either been killed, shot or abducted by kidnappers, saying their plight was due to abandonment of traditional practices.

The Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Adedeji Gbadebo, advised his colleagues to embrace the African Science in confronting insecurity and frequent attacks on Palaces.

Oba Adedeji, who spoke to our Correspondent in Ado Ekiti, described as embarrassing, incessant abduction of traditional rulers, and maintained that he had fortified himself like a warrior.

Adducing reason why Obas are being abducted, he pointed out that some Yoruba traditional rulers have abandoned the African Science under the guise of embracing modern religious belief.

“I move around like a warrior. No bandit or kidnapper can threaten me. Even if they are up to ten in number I will face them.

“Infact some of my subjects have also told me not to embarrass them by allowing myself to be molested by bandits.

“Attacks on Obas are disturbing. How can people kidnap or shoot a traditional ruler? I believe that going traditional to curb these senseless killings is not out of place.

“In the days of the old, there were wars and we had unique ways of fighting and winning. Some people don’t believe in it, because modern religion has taken over and reduced our faith in traditional power.

“Some traditional rulers are saying that they can’t use charms to protect themselves, this is hypocrisy. We are custodians of tradition. Why are we running away from our tradition? How can an Oba be killed or kidnapped like a chick? I find it appalling and difficult to believe.”

At a Western Nigeria Security Summit attended by over 1000 delegates from across Western Nigeria, organized by Yoruba Assembly in collaboration with Pan Yoruba groups recently at the Oranmiyan Hall, Ikeja, a lead Speaker, Adewale Adeoye declared that “No group of people would accept this shame on traditional institution.”

Adeoye pointed out that “For generations, our people have seen wars and have seen peace. We have fought many battles and have triumphed.

“The people always device their own means to defeat their enemies long before the creation of Nigeria. There is no time the people surrendered their sovereignty to any authority.

“Our monarchs never lack the will, the determination to take back their sovereignty especially when those that hold in trust look away as the people are raped, mass murdered, sacked from their ancestral homes and made to beg their oppressors and invaders before they could live and sleep in their motherland.

“We have always been determined to live and die on our land, on our own terms and not on the terms of our oppressors.

“Today, a new form of war has been brought to our fatherland by people alien to values and cultures we cherish. Our land has been violently invaded.”

On possible way out, Adeoye called on governments in Western Nigeria to build the capacity of Amotekun with modern security equipment to enable them to perform effectively; saying for now, there is no insurance cover for Amotekun.

“This discourages Amotekun corps from optimum performance. The State Governments should organize insurance cover for Amotekun corps immediately.

“Terrorists and all other armed non state actors in Western Nigerian territories are advised to vacate immediately or face the wrath of the people.”