The South West Kings met Igboho to strengthen security in Yorubaland

In a bid to strengthen security in their region, traditional rulers in the Southwest will hold a high-level security meeting with Yoruba nation activist and founder of the Iru Ekun Security Network, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The landmark meeting, scheduled for Friday in Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, is hosted by the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, and will be presided over by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

A statement issued by the Igboho Media Office on Friday said the meeting would focus broadly on security in Yorubaland, particularly measures to maintain peace and communal stability in the Southwest.

The meeting is expected to bring together monarchs from Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and parts of Kwara State, along with other stakeholders in the security sector.

According to the statement, “This important meeting which will be attended by all kings from Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and parts of Kwara State will be chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who also doubles as the Permanent Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers of Southern Nigeria (SNTRC).”

The statement said the meeting would seek to develop stronger security measures in the region while building closer cooperation between traditional institutions and local security initiatives, including the Iru Ekun Security Network.

He added: “This stakeholders meeting will discuss in depth measures aimed at ensuring effective security in the South West region and synergize with local security initiatives such as the Iru Ekun Security Network to protect Yorubaland, especially rural communities from any violations.”

Organizers said traditional rulers would also consider ways to play a more active role in local security, and stressed that their closeness to grassroots communities puts them in a strategic position to prevent crises and resolve disputes.

“The meeting will also broadly discuss the active involvement of traditional rulers in local security given their closeness to grassroots communities and their important role in crisis prevention and management of disputes between the Yoruba ethnic group and other tribes in the South West communities,” the statement said.

The meeting comes amid continued concerns over insecurity in some parts of the country and the need for stronger collaboration between formal security agencies, traditional institutions and community-based security initiatives.

Igboho Media Office also commended the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Police and other security agencies for what it described as their “enormous support” to the Iru Ekun Security Network.