The Ooni of Ife Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has condemned the killing of two Ekiti State monarchs, calling for swift action on state policing.
On Monday, unidentified gunmen ambushed and fatally shot the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, and Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, as they were returning to their respective domains from a routine meeting in Oke Ako, Ekiti State.
In a press release on Tuesday, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Ekiti.
“Assassinating traditional rulers in cold blood! This is absolutely unacceptable to us. If this could happen to the traditional rulers, what would then become hopes for their common subjects who look up to them for local security interventions?”
“This is a pure sacrilege and it is a deliberate display of criminal audacity to undermine the government’s security control capacity. This reprehensible act has not only robbed us of noble leaders but has also left a scar on the fabric of our unity and peaceful coexistence as a Nation. Government must stop at nothing to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and made to face justice,” Olafare quoted the Co-Chairman, National Council Of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) as saying.
The Ooni Ogunwusi, also serving as the Natural Leader of the Oduduwa race globally, urged the Federal Government to give top priority to the implementation of community policing nationwide. He emphasized the critical need for an effective, community-focused security system, particularly in light of the recent surge in violence and abductions targeting traditional rulers and school children across the country. The Ooni highlighted the potential benefits of community policing, emphasizing its emphasis on local participation to improve intelligence gathering, deter criminal activities, and safeguard the well-being of Nigerians.
“We cannot continue like this. Several of our school children are still languishing in the undetected incarceration of these heartless terrorists. A party state chairman in Lagos state was a victim recently. What about the recently abducted school children in Ekiti state? Six sisters in Abuja not too long ago with one of them killed. Similar cases across the country. Who is safe in this country again? Enough is enough”.
“The time should not be later than now for the government both at state and federal levels to show practical capacity in the area of security management and operations.
“The traditional rulers in Nigeria must be motivated with statutory community policing policy needed to work officially with government as we remain the closest leaders to the people, we know the traditional techniques to get rid of all these unfortunate situation, We are no cowards and we are ready to rise to the occasion defending our traditional land. Get us statutorily involved and see that what we inherited from our respective ancestors are still intact and real.” Ooni said.
The statement continued: “We traditional Rulers in Yorubaland and Nigeria at large commiserate and sympathise with families of the affected traditional rulers. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ekiti State during this trying time and with all our subjects across the country who have been victims terrorist killings and kidnappings.
“May the souls of the departed Monarchs rest in peace, and may their families find strength and solace in these difficult times. Community Policing Is The Only Solution!!!”.