Traditional Priest Advocates Revival of Ancestral Values to Combat Insecurity

Chief Ifatoyin Adeyeye, the Araba-Ogboni of Osi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has called for a renewed embrace of traditional African values and ancestral heritage as a means of addressing the worsening security challenges confronting Nigeria.

Speaking on the persistent cases of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the country, Adeyeye argued that a return to the principles, spiritual traditions, and communal values upheld by the forefathers of the Yoruba people could significantly contribute to restoring peace and security.

The traditional priest described the current security situation as alarming and disturbing, stressing that Yorubaland once enjoyed a high level of safety and communal harmony because of the strong moral and spiritual structures established by its ancestors.

According to him, the growing insecurity in the country is largely self-inflicted, resulting from the abandonment of indigenous traditions and the wholesale adoption of foreign cultures and belief systems that, in his view, have failed to adequately address the nation's challenges.

“We must return to the values and powers of old. Our forefathers relied on strong communal institutions, justice, discipline, and spiritual vigilance to protect their communities long before the advent of foreign influences,” he said.

“Our ancestors stood firmly for justice, peace, and communal harmony. In those days, it was difficult for bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements to thrive within Yorubaland because communities were united and committed to protecting one another.”

Adeyeye urged traditional rulers, elders, and custodians of Yoruba culture to work together in preserving and strengthening indigenous institutions capable of promoting social order and collective responsibility.

He also called on traditional priests, popularly known as Babalawos, to unite and play active roles in mobilising communities against criminality.

“Our people deserve to live in peace and move freely without fear. This is the time for traditional institutions and community leaders to rise and support efforts aimed at confronting insecurity. The values that sustained our ancestors can still inspire solutions to today's challenges,” he stated.

The Ibadan-based priest, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for several of his administration's policies aimed at repositioning Nigeria for growth and development, while noting that insecurity remains one of the major challenges confronting the Federal Government.

He maintained that the security crisis could be substantially reduced through stronger community participation, cultural reawakening, and the revival of indigenous conflict-resolution mechanisms.

Adeyeye further advocated closer collaboration between prominent Yoruba socio-cultural groups, including the Agbekoya Movement and the Oodua People's Congress (OPC), as well as conventional security agencies, to strengthen intelligence gathering and enhance the fight against criminal activities across the region.

He emphasized that a combination of traditional institutions, community vigilance, and formal security structures would provide a more effective and sustainable response to the growing threats of banditry and kidnapping in Yorubaland and across Nigeria.