Yoruba Monarchs Explore Ancestral Powers to Tackle Insecurity

In a bid to address the rising cases of abductions and violent attacks in the South-West region, traditional rulers in Yorubaland are considering the use of ancestral deities and indigenous spiritual mechanisms to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. This development comes on the heels of a call by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for traditional rulers to deploy ancestral means to tackle insecurity in the region. Oba Ogunwusi, who is the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made this call at the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival, where he also urged traditional rulers to collaborate with the government to restore peace and order. The South-West region has 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 in the region are now exploring the use of their ancient inherited deities to serve as a complementary measure to support conventional security efforts against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers operating in the region. The Olowu of Owu-Kuta in Osun State, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, said that traditional rulers were '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.' 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 Ondo State Chairman of the Council of Obas and the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, also said that 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. 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. Traditionalists have also 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. The leader of Ijo Orunmila Ifa Koseunti, Ifaniyi Akinside, said that the call by monarchs for a return to traditional practices reflected the urgent need to revive cultural mechanisms that once helped safeguard communities. 'Each deity in Yorubaland has its purpose and function. For example, the Oro deity is invoked to ward off danger; we appease the river spirit to repel invaders and their co-conspirators. There are things we can do as traditionalists to protect Yorubaland from marauders, but many of these practices have been abandoned because of the nonchalant attitude of our traditional rulers towards tradition and culture,' Akinside said.