Prominent Yoruba monarchs and traditionalists have rallied behind the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, following his call for the deployment of ancestral powers to combat terrorism, kidnapping and banditry across the South-West.
The debate was sparked by the abduction of dozens of pupils, students and teachers from two schools in Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has heightened fears over worsening insecurity in the region.
On May 15, 2026, armed terrorists riding motorcycles reportedly stormed Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School and Community High School in broad daylight, abducting 39 pupils and students, including toddlers, alongside seven teachers.
Reports indicated that one teacher was killed during the attack, while another teacher and a pupil later died in captivity. Nearly a month after the incident, the remaining victims were said to still be in the custody of their abductors, triggering outrage among residents and prompting protests by teachers.
Speaking during the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival last Sunday, the Ooni described the abduction as disturbing and unacceptable, urging traditional rulers to play a more active role in confronting insecurity.
“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. Our ancestors stood for justice, peace, and communal harmony, and we must invoke those values at this critical time.
“We must rise collectively against the menace of banditry and kidnapping. Enough is enough. Our people deserve to live in peace and move freely without fear. Traditional rulers must take greater responsibility in safeguarding their communities while supporting the efforts of the government and security agencies,” the monarch said.
The Ooni’s remarks generated mixed reactions, with some residents questioning the relevance of ancestral powers in an era dominated by sophisticated weapons and modern warfare. Critics argued that if such powers existed, they should have been deployed long ago against criminal groups operating within forests across Yorubaland.
However, several traditional rulers and custodians of Yoruba culture insisted that indigenous spiritual mechanisms remain potent and could complement conventional security efforts if given official backing.
The Olojudo of Ido and former Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, maintained that traditional methods remain effective in addressing security challenges.
“Traditional spiritual means could be used to tackle insecurity and such powers remain effective when properly applied. Our native means are very potent and effective for people who know how to use it and where to do the original thing.
“Spiritual powers still exist among some Yoruba people, and that is why those unscrupulous herders are afraid of Yoruba land. It is not all about guns. Our people have been capturing them even with their AK-47. Our forefathers deployed these powers to protect their communities from invaders but unfortunately we have allowed foreign religions to demonize our way of life.
“People who still have these powers are using it and they are protected. It is something that we have to invest in and encourage the people who have the power to exercise it and use it to protect Yorubaland,” he said.
The monarch further argued that not everyone possesses access to such spiritual capabilities, citing instances where traditional rulers reportedly escaped attacks through means he attributed to ancestral protection.
Also lending his voice, renowned traditionalist Ogundeji Elebuibon said it was possible to secure forests and communities without the use of firearms, provided there was cooperation between governments and traditional institutions.
“It is very possible and doable to protect the vast forest across the southwest without shooting a gun. The potent traditional means of doing so is still very active and available. However, who will go into the forest without government clearance, which is the reason we are advocating that governors in the southwest should convene a security summit to discuss alternative means of ensuring security of our forest.
“There is the need for a holistic discussion with traditionalists and others who possess the ancestral means of protecting Yorubaland. It has been done before and it is possible again. We just need the government to show the will and give us the necessary support,” Elebuibon said.
According to him, traditional security mechanisms played significant roles in protecting communities in the past and could still be useful if integrated into broader security strategies.
The Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, also backed the Ooni’s position, saying traditional rulers were committed to exploring lawful means of defending their communities.
Speaking through his media manager, Michael Adeyeye, the monarch said: “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.
“However, you know all these efforts are not what we will bring to the full glare of the public for open discussion. We are in an era when most people have lost faith in our ancestral powers and the viability of what our ancestors left for us.
“I can tell you that in the real sense of it, these ancestral powers are still effective and real but we must also exercise caution while deploying them. The powers have their own rules and application mode as well.”
The monarch added that consultations were ongoing with community vigilante groups and other stakeholders to explore legal and culturally acceptable approaches to addressing insecurity.
He expressed confidence that ongoing efforts would yield positive results, stressing that any measures adopted would be implemented within the confines of the law.
