'Strange people are occupying our forests,' Ooni tells Buhari
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, says some strange people have occupied the bushes and forests in the South-West region.
Speaking with journalists after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari
at the Villa on Thursday, July 17, 2019, the traditional ruler said
urged youths in the region not to attack anyone prevent a war situation.
The Ooni maintained that the region is in need of something better for its youth.
He noted that there is a need for
collaboration between the traditional rulers and security agencies in
order to tackle the problem of insecurity in the region.
“Before I came here I discussed with the
Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who has been there for close to 50
years and we cannot tore away such a very massive experience in terms of
knowing the structure of Nigeria. And also by virtue of that Alaafin is
in constant touch with Awujale and very much we are all on the same
page,’’ the monarch said.
“So, I’m here and I had a discussion that
is very fruitful with Mr President about what we all know – the security
situation in the country. We made him to know that the issue at hand in
the south-west is real – the issue of insecurity.
“We live in the remote and rural areas of
the south western part of the country, most of those bushes and those
forests are being occupied by strange people and we have decided to take
it upon ourselves to try as much as possible to work with the
government to fish them out.
“Why I’m here again is, everybody
is beating the war drum; we don’t want war; who can stand war? We want
something better for our youths. We should better use them for something
good other than shouting war and anarchy. And to the glory of God we
told Mr President that and he is on the same page with us.
“We should make sure that things are
right. Mr President has actually given good directives to all the
security chiefs, especially the Inspector-General of Police. They will
visit all traditional rulers’ palaces that are very sensitive in the
southwest with immediate effect – he is going to give that directive.
“We need to work very closely with them
and every other security agency in the country. We all must put them to
use now; it is very important for us to put them to use and work with
the locals.”
The ooni of Ife said Buhari should be given the opportunity to explain his side of the Ruga settlement plan.
“Another thing that he assured me of
before leaving – which I will go and give back to much more experienced
traditional rulers in the southwest which I have mentioned their names
earlier and even our leaders across bound – is that he would say his own
side of the story about Ruga (settlement),’’ he said.
“He wants to let the world and Nigerians
in particular to know the true side of the story because he is being
read out of context. So we should give him that opportunity as the
number one citizen of the country and what is important for me is the
youthful exuberant nature of our youths in Nigeria; they should not take
laws into their hands by going into those places and begin to kill and
maim,’’ the traditional ruler cautioned.
Meanwhile, President Buhari had advised Fulani
herdsmen not to leave any part of the country for the North as advised
by some northern elders.
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