The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has called on Nigerians to unite against bloodthirsty elements and enemies of state who derive satisfaction from the mindless killing of innocent citizens.
The monarch stated that only through collective resolve can the nation be rescued “from the jaws of insanity and barbarism,” stressing that socio-cultural values that uphold the sanctity of life must never be surrendered.
Oba Owoade’s remarks came in reaction to the recent killing of some Yoruba indigenes by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Oke Ode in Kwara State.
Deeply disturbed by the development, the Alaafin contacted Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urging urgent intervention to stem the attacks. In response, the governor commended the Alaafin’s concern and described him as a “visionary titan of Yorubaland,” assuring that a battalion of soldiers had been deployed to the troubled area.
The Alaafin lamented the killings, noting that Yorubas and Fulanis had for decades lived peacefully without rancor. He wondered why the herders had suddenly become a security threat.
Calling on the Federal Government to ensure justice, the monarch warned that impunity must not be allowed to thrive.
> “There can be no national development without relative peace and stability. There have been greater security challenges in recent times than at any point in our history, thus rendering our political stability fragile, our democratic institutions fluid,” Oba Owoade declared.
He added:
> “Government, political leaders, and all of us must have the courage and honesty to address the root causes of insecurity, which is underpinned by criminality, insurgency, and in recent times, terrorism by herdsmen.”
The monarch urged both leaders and citizens not to take security for granted but to build a robust security system that ensures a peaceful environment for development.
> “We must accept the reality that while unity in diversity is necessary, we must also identify and respect our differences — diversity in unity,” he said.
Commending security agencies for their commitment, the Alaafin assured all ethnic groups of adequate protection of lives and property, warning against actions detrimental to peace and order.
Recalling the long-standing hospitality of the Oyo Empire, the Alaafin noted that his predecessors were the first to provide cattle ranches and even donated 10 acres of land to Fulani herders free of charge to foster peaceful coexistence.
He explained that whenever disputes arose between farmers and herders, the palace deployed age-long conflict resolution mechanisms that encouraged dialogue, consensus-building, and restoration of order.
