The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has made a powerful appeal for an internal investigation into security personnel who are allegedly facilitating the spread of small arms and light weapons throughout the South-West region of Nigeria.
A Royal Appeal for Action
This urgent call was delivered on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, when the monarch received the newly appointed Zonal Commander for the South-West of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Abiodun Alamutu, at his palace. The visit was part of the commander's efforts to build alliances with key stakeholders in the fight against the illegal arms trade.
Oba Akiolu implored Alamutu to leverage all available resources to stem the dangerous tide of small arms proliferation. He specifically emphasized the need to identify and root out the "bad elements within the security agencies" who are actively promoting the distribution of these weapons, undermining national security from within.
Prayer and Discipline as Tools for Success
While outlining the practical challenges, the monarch also offered spiritual counsel. He enjoined the zonal director to be prayerful and highly disciplined, stating that the efficacy of prayers is undeniable. "If you are prayerful and highly disciplined, your actions and the positive outcomes will just be like magic," Oba Akiolu advised, framing a moral and dedicated approach as essential to the mission's success.
In a related commendation, the Oba praised President Bola Tinubu for the reappointment of Buba Marwa as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He noted that Marwa's leadership has been instrumental in the ongoing battle against drug abuse, which is often linked to crime and violence.
A Collective War Against Illicit Arms
During the meeting, Commander Abiodun Alamutu expressed his gratitude to the traditional ruler for his audience. He clarified that the purpose of the visit was to seek Oba Akiolu's support and collaboration, stressing that the war against the proliferation of small arms and light ammunition must be a collective effort to be won.
Alamutu highlighted the severe consequences of the issue, pointing out that the misapplication of these weapons is causing significant havoc in Nigerian society, fueling insecurity and threatening public safety. The commander's remarks underscored the critical nature of their mandate and the importance of partnerships with influential community leaders like the Oba of Lagos.
