The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has called for urgent and united action to end banditry, kidnapping, and rising insecurity across Nigeria, with a particular focus on Yorubaland, while offering ancestral prayers for the safe release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in recent attacks.
The monarch made the appeal on Sunday at the Ile-Oodua Palace during the grand finale of the 2026 World Ifa Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where traditional leaders, cultural custodians, and international guests gathered to mark the annual spiritual and cultural event.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch expressed deep concern over worsening security challenges in parts of the country and urged stronger collaboration among traditional rulers, security agencies, and government institutions.
The Ooni, who is also the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), stressed that traditional institutions must take a more active role in safeguarding their communities.
“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,” the Ooni said, calling on royal fathers across Yorubaland to deepen cooperation and intelligence sharing with security agencies.
He further urged Ifa devotees and traditional worshippers to invoke the moral and spiritual values of African traditional systems in confronting insecurity, noting that ancestral wisdom should be directed toward peace, justice, and communal protection.
“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,” he added.
The monarch also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing efforts to address insecurity nationwide, describing government interventions as commendable while insisting that lasting peace requires collective responsibility across all sectors of society.
“This is a time for unity. Government alone cannot solve the security challenges facing the nation. Traditional institutions, religious leaders, community stakeholders, and citizens must work together,” he stated.
As part of the festival’s spiritual observances, the Ooni offered special ancestral prayers for the safe release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno States.
He described the incidents as deeply painful and unacceptable, praying for divine intervention for the immediate return of all victims and comfort for affected families.
The prayers followed reports of the abduction of over 40 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed attackers struck multiple schools, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle; and L.A. Primary School. One teacher was reportedly killed during the incident, while another later died in captivity.
In a separate incident in Mussa, Borno State, more than 50 children were reportedly abducted after coordinated attacks on several schools, including Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School, and a SUBEB secondary school. The victims were said to be mostly very young children.
Speaking at the event, the Araba Awo Agbaye, Chief Awodotun Aworeni, urged Nigerians to embrace cultural values and moral teachings embedded in Ifa tradition, noting that they remain essential for peacebuilding and social order.
“Ifa remains a divine source of wisdom, guidance, and moral direction capable of fostering peaceful coexistence and sustainable development,” he said, adding that the festival’s message emphasizes unity, respect, and collective responsibility.
Also speaking, Brazilian tourist Paulo Silva commended the richness of Yoruba culture and the global significance of the festival, noting that his participation strengthened his connection to African heritage.
“I am deeply impressed by the preservation of Yoruba culture and traditions. The World Ifa Festival has provided an opportunity for people from different parts of the world to reconnect with their roots,” he said.
He also praised the Ooni of Ife for his continued efforts in promoting Yoruba culture, African spirituality, and cultural diplomacy on the global stage.
