S’ West traditionalists back IG on community Policing

From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Traditionalists across the Southwest region of the country, have declared their  support for Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu on the way out of insecurity challenges through community based  policing.

Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, the Obarisa Agbaye of Ijo Olorisa Parapo ati Asa Adulawo Organisation, Oba Jamiu Adewale Eletu,  blamed the festering insecurity situation in the Southwest region on internal collusion.

Eletu , who is the Alawoyaya of Awoyaya, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, alleged that some indigenes were conniving with the marauding herdsmen to perpetrate kidnappings and killings  , in a bid to make money, describing this as reason why the challenges were difficult to curtail.

He said :”Kidnapping is a serious issue. It is necessary for Youruba to beware , else what we don’t want will happen to us . Those blaming the Fulani herdsmen should also try and look inwards. No one can  come from Kano or Jos and know our terrain. There are fifth columinits amongst us. Some farms were being used as hideouts and owners are collecting commissions from these criminals.

Eletu said all traditional religious organisations are ready to help the government to fight insecurity, “because you can’t fight the battle alone with guns”.

As part of the ways to promote tradition and culture, he said the global traditional body will in 2020 hold the first ‘Igba Irunmole Festival ‘ in Ekiti State to promote culture and boost the economy.

Eletu also debunked the insinuation that his members were aiding criminals like armed robbers, kidnappers and ICT fradusters called Yahoo boys.

He said the role of Oba Olorisa is purely spiritual and the promotion of culture , assuring that these roles will not be done to undermine the traditional stools.

“The loss of our core values is instrumental to our global social, political and economic predicaments. This is also making the world a more dangerous place for human habitation.

In line with our fundamental role in the promotion of the tradition, beliefs and culture of the Oduduwa descendants all over the world, our organization is celebrating the 1st World Igba-Irunmole Festival in Ekiti State

“The festival is meant to celebrate the 201 gods that are recognized in the Yoruba mythology and further reawaken our consciousness and strengthen our spirituality towards our continued survival as humans.

“The choice of Ekiti State for the maiden edition of the festival is as a result of the cultural significance of the State and the spiritual presence of substantial number of notable Yoruba deities such as Ogun, Osanyin, Esu, Ifa, Osun, Obalufon and so on in the State.

“The rich natural heritage and culture-tourism for which Ekiti State is noted also makes the State an appropriate location for such festival. Over Five Thousand global adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion as well as curious tourists will visit Ekiti”.