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Insecurity: Ojudu, Farotimi, Others Seek Emergency South-West Summit
Some Yoruba leaders and professionals under the umbrella of the Omo Oduduwa Collective have called for an emergency security summit to address the worsening insecurity across the South-West, warning that political silence and inaction could deepen the crisis.
The South-West stakeholders urged governors, traditional rulers, lawmakers, security agencies, youth groups and others to forge a united response to what it described as an existential threat to Yorubaland.
The call was contained in an open letter titled “Yorubaland Must Not Be Silent: Insecurity, Civic Responsibility, and the Imperative of Collective Action.”
The letter was signed by the group’s Convener, Prof. Akinyemi Onigbinde, former presidential adviser Babafemi Ojudu, human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, ASUU leader Dr Adeolu Oyekan, Dr Olasunkanmi Olapeju, Kazeem Olasupo, Samuel Arinloye and Barrister Kayode Okenla.
The collective said kidnappings, violent attacks, criminal occupation of forests and assaults on travellers had become increasingly common across the region, forcing farmers off their land, disrupting businesses and education, and leaving many communities living in fear.
It said the growing abduction of schoolchildren, students and other innocent citizens posed a direct threat to the region’s future and social stability.
Referring to the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, the group said although the victims were eventually freed, the episode underscored growing public anxiety over safety and the ability of security institutions to protect lives.
It warned that if left unchecked, the worsening insecurity could erode public confidence in government and democratic institutions.
The group also lamented what it described as the absence of a coordinated response from influential Yoruba institutions despite the deteriorating security situation.
It noted that Yorubaland had historically relied on the collective efforts of traditional rulers, labour unions, professional associations, student bodies, market groups and civil society organisations to confront major challenges, but said such collaboration had been largely missing in the current security crisis.
“Against this historical backdrop, the relative quietness that has accompanied the present security crisis is difficult to ignore. While individual voices have spoken out and isolated interventions have occurred, the region has yet to witness the level of coordinated civic engagement that the scale of the challenge arguably requires,” the letter said.
The collective attributed the silence largely to political considerations.
“We believe that the unhealthy silence in the face of existential danger is motivated in large part by politics. Many stakeholders, either for personal or primordial reasons, consider it prudent to remain indifferent because of political calculations. We consider this approach short-termist and ultimately self-defeating,” it stated.
It stressed that demanding accountability from elected leaders should not be viewed as hostility, saying holding governments accountable while supporting them to overcome security challenges was a civic responsibility.
The group warned against accepting insecurity as the new normal, noting that societies often decline gradually when unacceptable conditions become tolerated.
As part of its recommendations, the collective proposed the immediate convening of a Yoruba Security and Civic Renewal Summit involving governors, traditional rulers, lawmakers, security experts, academics, labour leaders, business executives, youth and women’s organisations, and civil society groups.
According to the group, the summit should develop practical strategies for regional security cooperation, strengthen intelligence sharing, improve collaboration with security agencies and promote sustained civic engagement on public safety.
It also called for the establishment of a standing regional security consultative mechanism and urged universities and research institutions to provide evidence-based policy recommendations to strengthen security governance.
The collective said governors and lawmakers must ensure that resolutions from the proposed summit are translated into laws and effectively implemented.
It expressed confidence that Yorubaland possesses the human resources, institutions and cultural values needed to tackle insecurity but said success would depend on courageous leadership, regional cooperation and collective action.
“The security of communities, the wellbeing of families, the future of young people and the continued prosperity of the region transcend partisan politics. They demand a level of seriousness and collaboration equal to their importance,” the group said.
Nigerians have been cautioned against a blanket condemnation of the entire Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the vilification of it’s Commandant General, Professor, Audi Mohammed, over the unfortunate death of alleged illegal miners in it’s Minna custody recently.
The call was made in Lagos on Friday at a joint media parly, addressed by the Executive Director,Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV)Comrade Gbenga Soloki and President, Media for Equity and Good Governance, Rev’d Femi Adepoju respectively, as they insist that
“no public official should be above investigation, but neither should any individual be condemned without evidence and due process”.
Congratulating Nigeria President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary of the country, the conveners tasked him on the challenge ahead, acknowledging the economic reforms being pursued by the administration of President Tinubu, including measures aimed at achieving greater economic and foreign-exchange stability.
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“At the same time, we recognise that many Nigerians continue to experience economic hardship and increasing pressure on household incomes. We therefore urge the Federal Government to continue to pursue policies capable of translating improvements in national economic indicators into tangible improvements in the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians,” they said.
While registering their sympathy with the families those affected in the Minna, Niger State incident, the groups called for serious caution in handling the unfortunate incident in regard to the determination and punishment for the occurrence.
“We have observed calls in some quarters seeking to hold the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, personally responsible for the Niger State incident.
“Our position is that responsibility—whether individual, supervisory or institutional—must be established through credible evidence and a transparent investigation rather than speculation, political considerations or public emotion.
“The NSCDC is a nationwide institution with established levels of command and operational responsibility, including State Commandants, Zonal Commanders and other senior officers responsible for different formations.
“While the Commandant-General bears overall responsibility for the strategic leadership of the Corps, no head of a nationwide security organisation can personally supervise every officer and every operation across the federation simultaneously” the groups posited, adding that “this does not remove institutional responsibility. Rather, it makes it even more important for the investigation to determine what happened, who was directly responsible, whether established procedures were followed, and whether there were failures of supervision at any level.
“Where wrongdoing, negligence or criminal conduct is established, those responsible should be held accountable in accordance with the law,” they stated
It was also canvassed at the parley that “the present controversy should be considered alongside the broader record of the NSCDC under Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, without allowing that broader record to prejudge the investigation into this particular incident.
“Since assuming leadership of the Corps, his administration has pursued initiatives aimed at strengthening operational capacity, personnel training, intelligence gathering, protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, regulation of private security companies, and the protection of schools and vulnerable communities,” the groups said.
Public officials, the groups also admonished, should be assessed on their documented actions, institutional outcomes and adherence to the responsibilities of their offices—not on ethnic, religious or regional considerations.
Nigeria, they claimed, requires security institutions in which professionalism, discipline and national service transcend ethnicity, religion and geographical origin.
Insisting that any incident involving loss of life or allegations of serious wrongdoing within a security institution deserves a thorough, transparent and credible investigation, the conveners maintained that accountability remains fundamental to maintaining public confidence in security institutions.
They however said that accountability must equally be founded upon facts, evidence and due process.
“In an effort to demonstrate transparency and assure Nigerians that those connected with the incident were available for investigation, the NSCDC publicly presented the officers allegedly involved in the incident before members of the press.
“We believe that the investigation must now be allowed to establish precisely what happened, the respective roles of those involved, whether established procedures were followed, and whether there were failures of supervision or command at any level.
“Rather than crucifying the entire institution on the basis of the actions allegedly committed by particular officers, we believe this unfortunate incident should also provide an opportunity to examine how the NSCDC can be strengthened,” they stated.
In ensuring a better positioned NSCDC, the groups advocated increased government funding for the Corps, improved operational logistics, appropriate equipment and additional manpower.
This, they maintained, has become particularly important following the expansion of the Corps’ responsibilities, including its new assignment relating to VIP protection.
“At the same time, greater resources must go hand in hand with greater accountability, professionalism and respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians,” the groups echoed.
They noted that during a recent interaction with His Imperial Majesty, Arole Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, matters concerning the leadership and activities of the NSCDC were discussed.
“His Imperial Majesty expressed views concerning Professor Audi’s leadership and indicated his willingness to be contacted to restate those views directly.
“We believe this is important because Nigerians should be able to hear directly from respected traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders who have had opportunities to observe or interact with the institution and its leadership.
“We equally recognise that views expressed by traditional rulers, community leaders or other stakeholders constitute their own assessments and should be considered alongside the findings of an independent investigation and other verifiable evidence,” they said.
Positing that human rights and justice must apply to everyone, the groups said that the victims of any established misconduct deserve justice, their families deserve answers and Nigerians deserve transparency.
“We therefore call for a credible, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the Niger State incident.
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has charged politicians and other political leaders in Nigeria to prioritise the welfare and interests of the citizens in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He made the charge in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs , Otunba Moses Olafare,following a media chat held by the traditional shortly after paying homage and performing traditional rites at his Royal family home in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the obligatory rites marking the 2026 Olojo Festival.
The Ooni, who is also the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), stressed the need for political leaders to always place the collective interest of the people above personal and political considerations, urging them to work towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.
Ooni Ogunwusi noted that political leadership comes with a responsibility to the people, saying those entrusted with public offices should remain committed to improving the lives of citizens and strengthening the unity of the country.
He also called on Nigerians to continue to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and development, stressing that the progress of Nigeria requires the collective commitment of both leaders and citizens.
The Ooni, while speaking on the significance of this year’s Olojo Festival, said the celebration goes beyond being a cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, describing it as a global festival of thanksgiving, hope, restoration and divine intervention.
According to him, the emergence of daylight celebrated through Olojo carries a message of hope and renewal for humanity, particularly at a time when nations around the world are confronted with various challenges.
“This Olojo has given us a sample of appreciation. It is a global festival, a festival of thanksgiving. The day that the day comes out across the universe, we celebrate it here in the ancient city of Ile-Ife. It gives us hope that our condition as a nation is turning around,” the Ooni said.
The Ooni also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and offered ancestral prayers and blessings for the President, expressing hope for peace, stability and sustainable progress in Nigeria.
He urged political leaders to see their positions as opportunities to serve humanity, rather than avenues for personal enrichment or division, while calling for greater commitment to the national interest.
The 2026 Olojo Festival attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government officials, politicians, cultural enthusiasts, tourists and other dignitaries from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.
The influx of visitors also boosted commercial activities across Ile-Ife, with traders, hospitality operators, transporters, food vendors and other businesses recording increased patronage during the festival period.
The Olojo Festival remains one of the most significant traditional festivals associated with Ile-Ife and the Yoruba people. It is traditionally linked to the commemoration of the emergence of daylight after primordial darkness and is marked by spiritual rites, prayers and cultural activities seeking peace, prosperity and progress for the people.
The 2026 edition has once again placed Ile-Ife at the centre of global attention, providing an avenue for the preservation and promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage while strengthening the city’s position as a major destination for cultural tourism.
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has charged politicians and other political leaders in Nigeria to prioritise the welfare and interests of the citizens in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He made the charge in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs , Otunba Moses Olafare,following a media chat held by the traditional shortly after paying homage and performing traditional rites at his Royal family home in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the obligatory rites marking the 2026 Olojo Festival.
The Ooni, who is also the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), stressed the need for political leaders to always place the collective interest of the people above personal and political considerations, urging them to work towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.
Ooni Ogunwusi noted that political leadership comes with a responsibility to the people, saying those entrusted with public offices should remain committed to improving the lives of citizens and strengthening the unity of the country.
He also called on Nigerians to continue to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and development, stressing that the progress of Nigeria requires the collective commitment of both leaders and citizens.
The Ooni, while speaking on the significance of this year’s Olojo Festival, said the celebration goes beyond being a cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, describing it as a global festival of thanksgiving, hope, restoration and divine intervention.
According to him, the emergence of daylight celebrated through Olojo carries a message of hope and renewal for humanity, particularly at a time when nations around the world are confronted with various challenges.
“This Olojo has given us a sample of appreciation. It is a global festival, a festival of thanksgiving. The day that the day comes out across the universe, we celebrate it here in the ancient city of Ile-Ife. It gives us hope that our condition as a nation is turning around,” the Ooni said.
The Ooni also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and offered ancestral prayers and blessings for the President, expressing hope for peace, stability and sustainable progress in Nigeria.
He urged political leaders to see their positions as opportunities to serve humanity, rather than avenues for personal enrichment or division, while calling for greater commitment to the national interest.
The 2026 Olojo Festival attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government officials, politicians, cultural enthusiasts, tourists and other dignitaries from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.
The influx of visitors also boosted commercial activities across Ile-Ife, with traders, hospitality operators, transporters, food vendors and other businesses recording increased patronage during the festival period.
The Olojo Festival remains one of the most significant traditional festivals associated with Ile-Ife and the Yoruba people. It is traditionally linked to the commemoration of the emergence of daylight after primordial darkness and is marked by spiritual rites, prayers and cultural activities seeking peace, prosperity and progress for the people.
The 2026 edition has once again placed Ile-Ife at the centre of global attention, providing an avenue for the preservation and promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage while strengthening the city’s position as a major destination for cultural tourism.
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