Traditional rulers in Yorubaland are considering invoking ancestral deities to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes.
The development comes amid persistent insecurity across the South-West, where communities grapple with rising abductions and violent attacks.
Some monarchs on Thursday and Friday, said the move would complement conventional security efforts against terrorists operating in the region.
Rising Terrorist Attacks in the South West
The development followed a call by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urging traditional rulers across Yorubaland to deploy ancestral means to tackle rising insecurity.
Oba Ogunwusi, Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made the call at the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival.
He also urged traditional rulers to collaborate with the government to restore peace and order.
The South-West has witnessed a surge in abductions, with over 40 teachers and pupils of three schools in Yawota and Esinle communities in Oriire LGA of Oyo State still held hostage.
The Olowu of Owu-Kuta in Osun State, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, said traditional rulers were “seriously considering the deployment of our ancient inherited deities to serve the purpose” in fighting terrorists.
He expressed confidence, saying “many Yoruba traditional rulers, at least 90 per cent of them, believe in the Yoruba gods, and they believe in the potency of the deities irrespective of their religion.”
“We are seriously working on all options. We are not limiting it to professional security forces. While we are asking Christians to deploy the Psalms they know, we are also asking Muslims to deploy the Quranic verses they know, while traditionalists are being asked to move and invoke the spirit of the land to protect those who are on the land legitimately,” he said.
Similarly, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, said his kingdom was considering adopting traditional measures to protect its people.
“We are Africans, and before now, we had ways of addressing insecurity challenges. I believe in what the Ooni said. We have to combine everything to fight this challenge,” he said.
The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, disclosed that traditional mechanisms were already being considered in his kingdom.
“We are having meetings to consider most of these suggestions on the need to use our traditional weapons in defending our people. We will also do this within the ambit of the law,” he said.
Traditionalists and Traditional Rulers Collaborate
Meanwhile, traditionalists said they are ready to collaborate with traditional rulers.
Ifaniyi Akinside, leader of Ijo Orunmila Ifa Koseunti, said "we must engage our attackers in spiritual warfare. If we had been doing this, what happened in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, would not have happened.”
“We must fortify our borders spiritually. We can use the wind, the land and the water to fight the invaders,” Akinside said.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, called for a combined spiritual and physical response.
He said traditional rulers, traditional worshippers, Muslims and Christians all have roles to play in securing the region.
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