Abductions: Yoruba monarchs to invoke deities against bandits

Traditional rulers in Yorubaland are considering invoking ancestral deities and deploying other indigenous spiritual mechanisms to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

The development comes amid persistent insecurity across the South-West, where communities continue to grapple with rising cases of abductions and violent attacks

Some of the monarchs, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday and Friday, said the move was being considered as a complementary measure to support conventional security efforts against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers operating in the region.

The development followed a call by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urging traditional rulers across Yorubaland to deploy ancestral means to tackle rising insecurity in the region.

Oba Ogunwusi, who is the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made the call while speaking at the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival.

He also urged traditional rulers to collaborate with the government to restore peace and order.

The South-West region has in recent times witnessed a surge in abductions and other violent crimes, with over 40 teachers and pupils of three schools in Yawota and Esinle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State still being held hostage.

Traditional rulers adopt spiritual intervention

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Olowu of Owu-Kuta in Osun State, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, said traditional rulers were “seriously considering the deployment of our ancient inherited deities to serve the purpose” in the fight against terrorists.

He expressed confidence in traditional means of tackling insecurity, saying many traditional rulers in Yorubaland believe in the potency of ancient powers and deities to protect their communities.

“The traditional rulers are seriously considering the deployment of our ancient inherited deities to serve the purpose of the moment, the invading bandits and kidnappers who are launching onslaughts on our various communities. We believe most of these deities can serve the purpose.

“Many Yoruba traditional rulers, at least 90 per cent of them, believe in the Yoruba gods, and they believe in the potency of the deities irrespective of their religion,” Oba Oyelude said.

Oba Oyelude revealed that the implementation had already begun in certain areas, though some communities were proceeding with caution due to potential implications on local trade.

“It is very certain that some communities are already taking these actions. We in the South-West will not fold our hands and wait for the Federal Government to do it all. We will support the government’s efforts because we are the direct beneficiaries.

“We are seriously working on all options. We are not limiting it to professional security forces. While we are asking Christians to deploy the Psalms they know, we are also asking Muslims to deploy the Quranic verses they know, while traditionalists, who are the custodians of the land, are being asked to move and invoke the spirit of the land to protect those who are on the land legitimately, not the invaders,” he said.

Similarly, the Ondo State Chairman of the Council of Obas and the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, said his kingdom was considering adopting traditional measures to protect its people against banditry and other security threats.

He maintained that Yoruba traditional institutions had, from time immemorial, served as custodians of both the physical and spiritual well-being of their communities.

Oba Ogunoye added that there was nothing unusual about deploying time-tested indigenous mechanisms to safeguard lives and property.

He said, “We are Africans, and before now, we had ways of addressing insecurity challenges. I believe in what the Ooni said. We have to combine everything to fight this challenge.”

Oba Ogunoye also reiterated that the creation of state police would go a long way in combating insecurity.

“If state police is in effect, supported by traditional means, it would be arms for arms, so our communities would be safe to a very large extent,” the monarch declared.

The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, also disclosed that the adoption of traditional mechanisms was already being considered in his kingdom to combat the invasion of terrorists.

He said, “We are having meetings to consider most of these suggestions on the need to use our traditional weapons in defending our people. We will also do this within the ambit of the law and ensure that no one is hiding under such a guise to perpetrate any illegality.

“We are already working with some of the vigilantes within our communities in this respect. We are hopeful that the results of these efforts will be visible in no distant time,” the monarch said.

Also speaking, the Onimeko of Imekoland in Ogun State, Oba Benjamen Olanite, said there was growing pressure on traditional rulers from their subjects to deploy indigenous spiritual mechanisms to tackle the worsening security situation in Yorubaland.

“This is the way our forefathers safeguarded their communities, and there is nothing wrong with deploying traditional means to combat criminality. Even the Nigerian Constitution recognises our traditions and the people’s right to defend themselves,” he said.

The monarch, however, called for caution, stressing that while traditional institutions might consider indigenous methods in addressing insecurity, such measures must remain within the bounds of the law and respect for human rights.

On his part, the Olu of Imasayi in Ogun State, Oba Lukmon Kuoye, said traditional institutions possessed indigenous protective mechanisms that could help secure communities and border areas, but stressed the need for proper legal backing and caution in their application.

He called on the National Assembly to urgently consider granting traditional rulers defined constitutional roles, saying this would enable them to contribute more effectively to the fight against insecurity.

“If we engage directly in the fight against insecurity, the government may rebuke us for exceeding our boundaries as traditional rulers. This is one of the things hindering the traditional institution from stepping forward to combat kidnapping and banditry in our region.

“We have a lot of means we can deploy. For instance, in our area, we have a charm we can place around our borders that can instantly kill any invader, even without physically confronting such an invader. We can use that to protect our boundaries,” Oba Kuoye said.

We are ready to invoke deities – traditionalists

Meanwhile, traditionalists have expressed readiness to collaborate with traditional rulers in efforts to tackle insecurity across Yorubaland, saying indigenous spiritual systems remain an important but underutilised tool for protecting communities.