Osun Traditional Rulers Sound Alarm Over Escalating Kidnapping Crisis
The Osun State Council of Obas, under the leadership of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II, has issued a stark warning and urgent appeal to both the Federal Government and the Osun State Government regarding the alarming rise in kidnapping incidents across the state. This call to action follows a crucial meeting held at the Ooni's palace on Thursday, April 9, 2027, where traditional rulers convened to deliberate on pressing security issues affecting their domains and the wellbeing of their people.
Deep Concerns Over Border Community Insecurity
In a statement signed by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Michael Odunayo Ajayi Arowotawaya II, the Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesha, the Council expressed profound concern over the deteriorating security situation, particularly highlighting the surge in kidnapping cases in border communities. The Council specifically pointed to disturbing incidents in Ora-Igbomina, located in Ifedayo Local Government Area at the extreme northeastern boundary of Osun State, which shares borders with Kwara and Ekiti States.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by detailed accounts of specific kidnapping cases:
- December 15, 2025: A retired Customs officer, Mr. Emmanuel Owolabi, was abducted and held captive for an entire month before eventually regaining his freedom.
- February 1, 2025: Two individuals, Sunday Oyekanmi Adeyeye and Sunday Adewumi, were kidnapped from their residences in another targeted incident.
The Council further noted that similar kidnapping threats have emerged in other communities, such as Ikonifin, which shares a boundary with Oyo State and has also experienced an increase in such criminal activities. These incidents collectively pose a severe threat to the lives and properties of residents in these vulnerable regions.
Urgent Calls for Enhanced Security Measures
In response to these developments, the Osun State Council of Obas has strongly emphasized the critical need for enhanced security presence and proactive measures across all border communities in the state. The traditional rulers are calling on security agencies and relevant authorities to:
- Intensify surveillance operations in high-risk areas.
- Strengthen intelligence gathering capabilities to preempt criminal activities.
- Deploy necessary resources, including personnel and equipment, to effectively curb the menace of kidnapping and other criminal enterprises.
The Council has made a direct appeal to both the Osun State Government and the Federal Government to provide immediate and sustained security support to all these vulnerable areas. The primary objective is to safeguard the lives and properties of citizens, ensuring their safety and restoring peace to affected communities.
Commitment to Collaborative Efforts
Furthermore, the traditional rulers reiterated their unwavering commitment to supporting all lawful efforts aimed at restoring peace and security within the state. They encouraged residents to remain vigilant and to actively cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could aid in preventing or resolving kidnapping cases.
The Council reaffirmed that the safety of the people remains paramount and stressed that collective action is essential to address the current security challenges facing Osun State. By uniting governmental efforts with community vigilance and traditional leadership, the Council believes that a significant impact can be made in combating this escalating crisis.
