•’Why more and more monarchs are shunning traditional rites’
The Ona Onibode, Oba AbdulRasheed Adetoyese of Oke Ogun part of Oyo State, has spoken on recent Fulani attacks in Ibarapaland.
The monarch said criminal herdsmen have allies in unemployed indigenes in the kingdom to assist with their criminal activities.
His words, “Crime in Ibarapa is high because some of the indigenes are working in tandem with the criminal herders in perpetrating crimes in the area.”
He opined that unemployment leaves the youth idle and make them available for recruitment into crime.
He advocated autonomy for the local government and government funding for local security efforts
“Some of our sons are unemployed and they engage in one crime or the other. If the government gives local government autonomy, these problems will be reduced. At least, governance would be nearer to the people. It is sad that graduates do not have anything to do other than ride okada (commercial motorcycles). This set of people is tempted to commit crime or act as accessories to crime if tempted with money,” he said.
Speaking on the attacks on Oke Ogun, he revealed how his part of the kingdom has been able to maintain peace. “In my area here in Oke Ogun 2, we have little problems. When I say Oke-Ogun 2, I am talking about the Saki axis of Oyo State. It is different in Oke-Ogun 1, which is Iseyin and Ibarapa areas. There are more herders there than here. But the herders here have been living with us from time immemorial.”
He added, “Also, we have constituted a security committee, and Fulani people who have been living with us for a very long time are members of this committee. Any time they see new sets of herders coming into the community, they would inform the monarch of the town. This has helped us in keeping tabs on the new herders that are coming into Igboho. Also, the Old Oyo National Park is very close to us. There some criminal herders used to hide. But to the glory of God, it is impossible now for the criminal herders to hide because of the combined efforts of local hunters, Amotekun, vigilante and the police.”
