Ooni Urges Yoruba Monarchs to Deploy Traditional Means Against Bandits

Ooni Urges Yoruba Monarchs to Deploy Traditional Means Against Bandits

The Ooni of Ife is not waiting for the federal government to solve all of Yorubaland's security problems, he is calling on traditional rulers to take matters into their own hands using the tools that their ancestors used to protect their communities for centuries. Speaking during the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival, the monarch urged traditional rulers to strengthen cooperation among themselves and work closely with security agencies to rid their communities of criminal elements. He believes that the answers to banditry and kidnapping may lie not just in modern policing but in the spiritual and cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations of Yoruba leadership. His call to action is a reminder that before colonial rule, traditional rulers were responsible for the safety and security of their domains, and they had methods that worked.

According to a statement released by his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, the Ooni made it clear that this is not a time for passive waiting or finger pointing. He said, "We must bring together our traditional powers, spiritual heritage, and communal values to chase bandits, kidnappers, and all criminal 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." These words carry weight because the Ooni is not just a ceremonial figure, he is seen by many as a spiritual leader with deep connections to the ancestral realm, and his call to action is being taken seriously by traditional rulers across the region.

The online space has been buzzing with reactions to the Ooni's statement, with some people praising him for taking a proactive stance while others question what exactly "traditional means" entails. Some have interpreted his words as a call for the use of spiritual powers, including juju and other forms of traditional medicine, to combat bandits who are terrorizing farming communities. Others believe he is talking about community policing, local vigilance groups, and the kind of communal security systems that existed before modern police forces took over. A few have expressed concern that invoking traditional powers could lead to abuses or human rights violations, and they are calling for clarity on what the Ooni is actually proposing.

The Ooni has not provided further details about what he expects traditional rulers to do, and he may leave that to each community to decide based on their own customs and circumstances. What is clear is that he is tired of waiting for the federal government to solve a problem that is destroying lives and livelihoods in his region. He wants traditional rulers to step up, to take ownership of their communities' security, and to use every tool at their disposal, including the spiritual and cultural ones, to protect their people. Whether that approach will work remains to be seen, but the Ooni is determined to try.