Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade, has firmly dismissed widespread speculation that some traditional rulers are complicit in the security challenges plaguing communities across Nigeria, insisting that no monarch would willingly allow his domain to become a haven for terrorists, bandits, or kidnappers. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the monarch, also known as the Edun Alaka III, addressed the recurring allegations that have cast a shadow over the traditional institution, arguing that such claims are unfounded and fail to account for the structural limitations facing rural rulers. "We have this information that some traditional rulers are complicit in these situations, but I don't think it's true," Bamgbade said. "No traditional ruler would want his town or community raided by these terrorists or bandits, whatever we call them". His comments come at a time when communities across Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, North-Central and parts of the South-West, are reeling from repeated attacks, mass abductions and the kidnapping of schoolchildren.
The Olofin, who is also the Adimula of Awori Kingdoms, attributed the perception of complicity to a breakdown in communication between traditional rulers and security agencies, rather than any deliberate collaboration with criminal elements. He explained that when traditional rulers receive intelligence about impending attacks but lack the means to act on it or the security operatives to share it with, they are often wrongly perceived as being part of the problem. "But the situation is when you have this information, and the security operatives are not on the ground to pass this information to, people see it as if you are complicit in all of this action, but they are not," Bamgbade stated. His remarks highlight a longstanding grievance among traditional rulers who argue that they are expected to maintain peace without being formally integrated into the security architecture or provided with the resources to do so effectively.
The monarch used the opportunity to throw his weight behind the creation of state police, an idea he described as long overdue, but insisted that the traditional institution must be given formal representation within any new security structure. He argued that traditional rulers, as the closest authority to grassroots communities, are best positioned to gather and transmit intelligence, but only if they are properly integrated into the system. "And that is why we are saying that if these traditional rulers are presented and are part of this security architecture, once this traditional ruler gets information, he passes it to the chairman. The chairman has an express way to giving it to those involved and those that should operate on it," the monarch explained. His call echoes a broader demand by traditional rulers across Nigeria for constitutional recognition and a formal role in security governance, a demand that has gained renewed urgency as rural communities bear the brunt of insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
The Olofin's intervention comes against the backdrop of escalating insecurity in rural Nigeria, where terrorists, bandits and other armed groups have repeatedly attacked villages, abducted residents and killed civilians. Communities in states such as Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and parts of the North-Central and South-West regions have suffered repeated raids, forcing many residents to flee their homes while disrupting farming, education and economic activities. There have been several reported incidents involving mass abductions, including the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, highlighting the growing reach of armed groups beyond traditional conflict zones. Stakeholders have linked the persistent attacks to weak policing in remote communities and porous borders, intensifying the call for state police as a solution to the security deficit.
The Olofin of Isheri, a former military officer, has previously spoken about his proactive approach to security within his own domain, leveraging his military background to manage tensions and prevent conflicts. In a 2022 interview, he recounted how he intervened to resolve a dispute between fishermen in his kingdom, summoning the Marine Police and the Baales to restore peace. He also noted that he has used his ability to speak Hausa to engage with the diverse populations within his domain, including the large Kara market, which attracts thousands of people daily. "Since I came on the throne, I have been actively involved managing Security within my domain considering that I have a military background and could speak Hausa language," he said. "They know I won't harbour them (criminals), so, anybody that is criminally minded had to relocate".
The monarch's denial of complicity and his call for state police with traditional representation come at a pivotal moment, as the debate over the restructuring of Nigeria's security architecture intensifies. While the Senate has passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a Presidential Working Group to draft the legal framework for implementation, marking significant progress towards establishing state police. The House of Representatives on Tuesday stepped back from its own constitutional amendment proposal on state policing and will instead proceed with a similar bill submitted by the Presidency. The Olofin's intervention adds the voice of the traditional institution to the growing chorus of stakeholders demanding a more effective and decentralised approach to security.
However, the monarch's stance on security has been complicated by allegations of land-grabbing and harassment in some communities. Residents of the Yakoyo community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have accused the Olofin of using the police to harass and intimidate them in a dispute over land ownership. The monarch has denied the allegations, insisting that the community was dragged to court only when they began to question the authority of the Olofin family over the land. The Yakoyo community has called on the Inspector General of Police to call the monarch to order over what they describe as the constant harassment and intimidation of residents by police officers allegedly working with the monarch's allies. These allegations have created a complex picture of a traditional ruler who is simultaneously a vocal advocate for security reform and a figure embroiled in contentious land disputes.
Despite these controversies, the Olofin's message on insecurity has resonated with many who believe that traditional rulers have been unfairly blamed for a crisis that is rooted in deeper structural failures. His insistence that traditional rulers are not complicit but rather frustrated by their exclusion from the security architecture has struck a chord with fellow monarchs who have long complained of being sidelined. As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenge of insecurity, the Olofin of Isheri's call for the integration of traditional rulers into the security framework and the establishment of state police represents a significant contribution to the national conversation. Whether his voice will be heeded remains to be seen, but his message is clear: traditional rulers are not the enemy, but rather an untapped resource in the fight against insecurity.
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