THE Yoruba Security Summit took place today in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, hosted other South West monarchs and discussed how to deal with the kidnapping and banditry problem in the region.
Oba Ogunwusi urged the traditional leaders to reclaim their forests, lands and farms from the terrorists who are attacking them.
He expressed his sorrow over the rising cases of abduction and murder of Yoruba kings and people.
He also reminded the Yoruba people of the importance of using their ancestral powers to safeguard and defend their territory from invaders.
The Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, who spoke on behalf of the Governor, Ademola Adeleke, supported the creation of state and local government police forces.
He criticized the politicians who give out lethal weapons and incite violence among the youths in the region.
The Police Service Commission Chairman, former IG Solomon Erase, who was represented by Retired AIG Olayemi Agunbiade, gave a speech titled ‘Kidnapping And Banditry: Overcoming The Twin Menace’, in which he emphasized the need for the police to ensure the security of the citizens.
He advised everyone in the country to be alert and report any suspicious activities in their surroundings to the security agencies.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, suggested that the traditional rulers should establish community security networks that would be funded by the local government chairmen.
The Alara of Ara-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, who survived a kidnapping attempt that claimed the lives of two other monarchs, urged the government to improve the security situation in the region.
At the end of the summit, Professor of History, ‘Siyan Oyweo presented a 13-point communiqué, which included; that traditional rulers should use their natural resources and powers to combat banditry and kidnapping, that the South-West should organise a regional security summit that will include all stakeholders, that traditional rulers should take full possession of their forests, homelands, and farmlands, and to adopt the parliamentary system of government.
Some South West governors also sent delegates.
The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, was represented by Prince Kola Aewusi, his deputy. Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governor of Ondo State, both sent representatives to the meeting, as did Sen. Iyiola Onisoore, a former deputy governor of Osun State.
The summit was attended by all security services, including the military, police, civil defence, correctional centre, Amotekun, Oodua People Congress, and local hunters.
The Convener of the Summit, Ooni of Ife, and other famous Yoruba traditional rulers in attendance include the kings of Owo in Ondo Town, Akure in Ondo State, Oke-Ila, Iragbiji in Osun State, Ijero-Ekiti, and Sagamu in Ogun.
