Is it not time to look the way of the South west traditional rulers in the country?, in view of the fact that they are very close to the people at the grassroot hence have the knowledge of how to tackle insucurity headlong.
One of the most talked-about issues in Nigeria at the moment is the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed operation Amotekun which was launched in Ibadan, Oyo state on January 9, 2020.
The formation of the security outfit has generated heated controversies, which some described as one of the reasons the operation has become more popular.
Among the controversies it has generated was the declaration made by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, that the operation was illegal, this particular declaration by Malami triggered reactions from many Nigerians.
Some of those who reacted is a Human right activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, Nobel laurete, Professor Wole Soyinka, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, Miyetti Allah cattle Breeders Association, Muslim Rights Concern MURIC among others.
MURIC asked governors in Nigeria’s southwest to change the name of the regional security outfit it set up to fight crimes because it is anti-Islam.
South West Traditional Rulers
The group’s director Professor Ishaq Akintola alleged that they asked people to bring birth certificates and letters of recommendation from churches before joining Amotekun, among other criteria.
Also, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the wake of the launch of Amotekun alleged that the outfit was targeted against its members before some Chairman of the association in different states later threw their weight behind the outfit stating the need for their members to be included as part of the outfit.
You will recall that it took days before the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, reacted to the launch of the security outfit, and many had their reservations about his stand when he later responded.
While reacting, Tinubu called for dialogue between governors of South-West states and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice over the issue of Amotekun adding that dialogue between the two parties would address the grey areas.
Are Traditional Rulers Duly Involved In Operation Amotekun?
At the center of the heated arguments that Amotekun generated, some people who were passionate about it said they expected South west Traditional Rulers to react to the issue.
Still, others believed that the Monarchs were not duly informed from the onset.
Among those who expected the traditional rulers to support Amotekun is the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Abiodun called on the South west Traditional rulers to support Operation Amotekun at the Awùjalè’s Palace in Ijebu-Ode, during the inauguration of the Awùjalè and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona as the new Chairman of the Ogun State Traditional Council.
The Governor said the traditional rulers are an essential factor in achieving an effective security system in the State, through their closeness to the people at the grassroots, urging them to continue to maintain peace in their respective domains, by discouraging youths from cultism and other social vices.
The Security Summit In Ibadan
A quick flashback to when a meeting was held in Ibadan where the governors of the six states in the South West Zone at a security summit pledged to find a solution to the lingering security challenges in the zone.
The summit, which focused was organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) in collaboration with the six governors.
The governors are Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Mr. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun and the host governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
It can be said that the security summit gave birth to Operation Amotekun, but it is imperative to point out how South west traditional rulers reacted to the summit.
Traditional rulers from Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states, who spoke in separate interviews after the summit said the time had come to adopt traditional approach against the activities of attackers terrorising the region.
In Ekiti State, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole, called on all monarchs in the South-West region to prevent Fulani bandits from invading the region, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye, expressed the need for Fulani bandits to be stopped from further invasion.
In Osun State, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, said he had engaged local hunters to provide security.
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, called on local hunters in the South-West, socio-cultural organisations and government in the region to protect the territory from invasion by bandits and suspected Fulani herdsmen who block major highways to attack people.
In his comments, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, said there was a need for community policing and state police to check criminals entering Yoruba land.
There is no gainsaying the fact that traditional rulers are closer to the people at the grassroots hence the need for state governors to consult the traditional rulers in their different states and involve them accordingly to ensure the success of the operation.