His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Titan of Yorubaland, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has further demonstrated his capacity as a security-conscious monarch by blending traditional leadership virtues with modern security management.
As reported by Bode Durojaiye, Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland, this proactive disposition has continued to assure the safety of the people, the domain, and the centuries-old legacy of the Oyo Kingdom.
Combined Forces to Tackle Threats
Constantly aware of the geopolitical landscape, the Alaafin has remained deliberate in identifying potential threats and swiftly taking actions to mitigate risks. To this effect, he approved the composition of a combined security force comprising:
The Nigeria Police.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Western Security Outfit (Amotekun).
Hunters.
Vigilante Group.
The multi-agency team is headed by the Oyo Area Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda.
Properly equipped and strategically organized, the combined forces are already engaging in coordinated planning and training to repel banditry and other criminal activities across villages, forests, Oyo metropolis, and the Oke Ogun region.
Community Confidence and Trust
Oba Owoade’s ability to assess security situations, determine legitimate threats, and take rational action has drawn widespread commendations from residents who now “go to bed with their eyes closed.”
The monarch’s transparency has also strengthened public trust and deepened cooperation between the people and security agencies.
He holds regular meetings with the special security task team and receives detailed situation reports for further strategy development.
Call to Integrate Traditional Intelligence Into National Security
The Alaafin emphasized the need to integrate traditional institutions and native intelligence into Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Strategy as part of a holistic response to the nation’s complex security challenges.
According to him, development challenges must also be addressed through genuinely people-oriented strategies, otherwise optimal security will remain elusive.
He described traditional rulers as crucial yet underutilized assets in Nigeria’s security structure, noting that their deep local roots enable them to gather human intelligence that state agencies often struggle to access.
“Native intelligence complements formal mechanisms by providing crucial local context, knowledge of the terrain, and insights into customs and nuances vital for effective counter-terrorism operations,” he said.
Holistic Information Gathering Needed
The Alaafin urged government to adopt a systemic and harmonized approach to intelligence gathering—one that improves coordination among security agencies and leverages modern technologies for identifying criminal suspects.
He noted that Nigeria is not alone in its security challenges, but what matters most is the method of response.
The Old Oyo Empire, he recalled, survived for over 600 years due to effective native intelligence.
Commendation to the Armed Forces
Oba Owoade praised the Armed Forces for re-strategizing operations in the North East, introducing new platforms and equipment which have significantly shifted momentum against insurgents.
Patriotism as a Foundation for National Stability
Highlighting patriotism as crucial to national development, the Alaafin stressed that “citizenship without patriotism is perhaps the greatest bane of any nation.”
He explained that modern citizenship extends beyond legal entitlement, encompassing a personal sense of belonging, cultural consciousness, and collective responsibility.
“For us as Nigerian citizens to contribute meaningfully to national development, we must uphold our cultural heritage while building a personal sense of belonging,” he said.
“Such disposition is the bedrock of patriotism and national heroism.”
