Yoruba monarchs, led by Ooni of Ife, plan spiritual fight against bandits

Traditional rulers in Nigeria's Yoruba region are urging the federal government to intensify efforts against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, called on authorities to better equip security agencies, improve intelligence and prosecute perpetrators, emphasizing that “democracy thrives best in an atmosphere of peace, security and justice.”

In addition to political appeals, several Yoruba monarchs said they are considering invoking ancestral deities and using religious prayers—Christians with Psalms, Muslims with Quranic verses—to complement existing security measures. The Olowu of Owu‑Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, said “many Yoruba traditional rulers, at least 90 % of them, believe in the Yoruba gods, and they believe in the potency of the deities irrespective of their religion.” Other rulers, such as the Olowo of Owo and the Deji of Akure, indicated plans to adopt traditional spiritual and, where permissible, physical defenses within the ambit of the law.