‘We Will Fight Bandits With Juju’ — Yoruba Monarchs Back Ooni to End Insecurity

Traditional rulers and cultural leaders across the South-West have thrown their weight behind the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, following his call for the deployment of Yoruba ancestral powers to confront banditry and kidnapping.

The renewed debate comes amid growing anger over the recent abduction of dozens of pupils, students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The victims have remained in captivity for weeks, deepening fears over the worsening security situation in the region.

Speaking during the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa festival, the Ooni described the wave of kidnappings as unacceptable and urged traditional rulers to play a more active role in protecting their communities.

“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,” the monarch said.

His remarks sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians questioning whether traditional methods could stand against heavily armed criminal gangs.

However, several Yoruba monarchs, traditionalists and community leaders insisted that indigenous security systems remain effective and should be allowed to complement conventional policing.

The Olojudo of Ido and former Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, argued that traditional spiritual practices have historically been used to defend Yoruba communities.

According to him, “Our native means are very potent and effective for people who know how to use it and where to do the original thing.”

The monarch maintained that some communities had successfully used such methods to resist attacks, adding that not every aspect of traditional security practices could be discussed publicly.

A respected traditionalist, Ogundeji Elebuibon, also backed the proposal. He said it was possible to secure forests without firing a single shot if traditional institutions were properly involved.

He called on South-West governors to convene a regional security summit where traditional rulers, hunters and custodians of indigenous practices could contribute to efforts aimed at tackling insecurity.

The Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, speaking through his media manager, Michael Adeyeye, said traditional authorities were already considering ways to strengthen local security structures.

He stated that “the position of the Ooni is sacrosanct and we are not leaving any stone unturned in this respect of deploying our ancestral power to chase out terrorists from our domains.”

The monarch, however, stressed that any such effort would be pursued within the law and in collaboration with existing vigilante groups.

Also supporting the initiative, the Ekiti Council of Elders said the worsening security crisis had forced communities to consider alternative measures.

Its General Secretary, Elder Niyi Ajibulu, said government had the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property but appeared overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge.

“Only desperate measures can fix a desperate situation,” he said, adding that traditional hunters and custodians of indigenous knowledge could help complement security agencies.

The Oodua Security Network also declared its readiness to support the initiative. Its commander, Olayemi Victor Egbeola, said Yoruba communities possessed traditional capacities to confront criminal elements but would require the approval and cooperation of government authorities.

Despite the growing support, some stakeholders urged caution.

President of the International Council for Ifa Religion, Chief Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, said ancestral powers should not be viewed as a replacement for law enforcement.

According to him, spiritual interventions should work alongside effective governance, community vigilance and the activities of security agencies.

Similarly, the Convener of the Yoruba Commitment Forum, Otunba Tayo Onayemi, argued that while traditional approaches should not be dismissed, security matters require careful handling because they fall outside Nigeria’s constitutional framework.

Community leader Niyi Rotimi said the conversation reflected a broader concern over the gradual loss of Yoruba cultural identity. He noted that indigenous beliefs had historically played major roles in governance, warfare and community protection.