In a resolute declaration that has galvanized traditional leaders, political figures, and citizens across Nigeria, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, has confirmed intelligence reports of bandits and terrorist elements gradually infiltrating the Southwest region, while affirming the area’s ironclad commitment to confront and expel these threats “headlong.” Speaking candidly on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on November 28, 2025, the custodian of the Yoruba throne emphasized that the Southwest – long a bastion of hospitality and cultural harmony – stands ready to defend its sovereignty, drawing on historical precedents of resilience dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Ooni’s remarks, delivered in the wake of a high-stakes meeting between the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Traditional Rulers Council in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, underscore a strategic alliance aimed at fortifying regional defenses against the southward creep of insecurity that has plagued Nigeria’s North for years. Hosted by Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, the gathering – attended by governors, obas, and security experts – focused squarely on intelligence-driven responses to banditry, insurgency, and communal vulnerabilities. Oba Ogunwusi revealed that the forum had resolved to bolster local structures, including community vigilance networks and traditional security apparatuses, to monitor and neutralize incursions before they take root.
“Yes, we have discovered that, and that’s the truth,” the Ooni stated unequivocally when pressed on reports of terrorists and bandits edging into Yoruba territories. “It has happened in the past. In the 18th Century, in the 17th Century; we have actually done that. We’ve never been conquered, and it’s not going to happen again.” He lamented the erosion of Nigeria’s once-seamless inter-regional mobility, recalling an era when “Nigerians travelled freely across regions without fear of banditry,” and warned that the Southwest’s accommodating nature – a melting pot of ethnic groups from across the federation – poses both a strength and a vulnerability in the face of orchestrated threats. “For both the race and our people, there is much danger because we are very accommodating. In any Yoruba setting, you will see people from all ethnic groups in Nigeria within the South West region.”
In a clarion call for national cohesion, Oba Ogunwusi urged all Nigerians to transcend partisan divides and rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in its multifaceted campaign against insecurity. “We need to support him to save Nigeria; it’s very important,” he implored, decrying the politicization of the crisis as a perilous distraction. “You condemn this leader, you condemn that leader… We should not sink the nation because of politics. Nigeria’s interest should be paramount.” The monarch highlighted the administration’s proactive measures, including the rehabilitation of police and NSCDC training colleges, and called for expanded zonal security funds to empower regional initiatives. The Southern Governors’ Forum echoed this sentiment in their communique, passing a resounding vote of confidence in President Tinubu and pledging full collaboration between traditional institutions, state governments, and federal security agencies.
The Ooni’s intervention arrives at a critical juncture, as Nigeria grapples with the southward migration of bandit networks – loosely organized groups estimated at 30,000 strong in the Northwest, blending criminality with jihadist influences from groups like JAS, ISWAP, and Ansaru. Recent incidents, including the November 21, 2025, kidnapping of 38 worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State (who were subsequently released), and targeted attacks in Kwara and Niger States, signal the porous borders’ role as conduits for smuggling and violence. Intelligence from the meeting points to heightened risks in border communities, where Fulani herder-farmer disputes have been exploited by armed gangs for extortion, abductions, and territorial control.
Traditional rulers from the South, including the Ooni, affirmed their role as the “first line of defense,” leveraging centuries-old intelligence networks rooted in Yoruba cosmology and community governance. “The traditional institution would collaborate with political leaders to make Nigeria better for all,” Oba Ogunwusi affirmed, vowing to “drive away bandits, others from S’West.” This unified stance builds on historical Yoruba resistance, from the repelling of 19th-century Fulani jihads to modern civic mobilizations, ensuring that the region’s cultural and economic vibrancy – home to over 40 million people and Nigeria’s industrial heartland – remains unassailable.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, speaking post-meeting, praised the Ooni’s leadership: “His Imperial Majesty’s words are a rallying cry. The Southwest is not just aware; we are action-oriented. With federal support, we’ll turn the tide.” Similarly, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a key attendee, added: “Unity is our shield. The Ooni’s wisdom reminds us that security is a shared patrimony – from Ife to Ibadan, we’ll stand firm.”
Civil society and security analysts have lauded the proactive approach. Dr. Aisha Yusuf, Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, noted: “The Ooni’s confirmation of these incursions validates grassroots intelligence often overlooked. This partnership between obas and governors could redefine Nigeria’s security architecture.” On social media, #DefendTheSouthWest trended nationwide, with users sharing historical anecdotes of Yoruba valor and pledges of communal vigilance.
As Nigeria marks another year of resilience amid adversity, the Ooni of Ife’s message resonates as both warning and war cry: the Southwest will not yield. Through collective resolve, technological edge, and unyielding tradition, the nation can reclaim its peace – ensuring that no bandit or insurgent disrupts the free flow of its people and prosperity.
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