…says ‘we have the capacity, ready to defend ourselves against external invaders’
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described Sunday’s terrorists’ attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State and the killing of over 50 worshippers as a ploy to throw Yorubaland to war.
Oba Ogunwusi said this in a post on his Facebook page on Monday.
Ooni, however, warned that despite being peace-loving, the Yoruba cannot be overrun in their homestead, stressing that the perpetrators of such evils should not make the mistake as “we have the capacity and are prepared and ready to defend ourselves against all external invaders.”
The foremost Yoruba monarch recalled that Sunday marked one year when killer herdsmen invaded Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State at night and killed over 20 people, burnt several houses, including the palace of the Asigangan, the town’s traditional ruler.
Oba Ogunwusi, therefore, noted that “when calamities like this befall us without a single trace, the interpretation is that the intelligence unit of our country’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing.”
He challenged all state governors, particularly those of the South-West states and the Federal Government to live up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of all Nigerian citizens regardless of their religion, age, sex and ethnicity.
Ooni stated that rather than allowing the Owo church terrorists’ attack to discourage the government and others in authority, it should strengthen them in their resolve to deploy manpower, resources and technology towards protecting the lives and property of the ordinary people.
He disclosed that he’s already holding consultations with the other traditional rulers and governors of the six South-West states on concrete plans to safeguard the people of the region.
“We have deep obligations to them in the face of inadequate state security challenges that are threatening the fabric of our existence,” he said.
Ooni also expressed condolences to “the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, and the entire Owo kingdom, to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to the Ondo State Government, to the people of Owo, to the Priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, to the families of all the victims, and the entire people of Ondo State,”adding, “It is my prayer that Olodumare will comfort you all and give you peace in these trying times.”
The full text of the Ooni’s Facebook post reads as follows:
“What occurred yesterday was a gruesome massacre dastardly targeted at turning Yorubaland to a war zone. However, we the descendants of Oduduwa although peace loving, cannot be overrun in our own homes, do not be mistaken we have the capacity and are prepared and ready to defend ourselves against all external invaders.
“We should all be reminded that yesterday made it exactly one year when an invading gang of killer herdsmen killed at least over 20 people in Igangan, Ibarapa North local government of Oyo State on a Saturday night, leaving several houses, the palace of the Asiganga burnt in the attack, whilst people were asleep. Exactly a year ago!
“When calamities like this befall us without a single trace, the interpretation is that the intelligence unit of our country’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing.
“I implore the six governors across the south west region and their brothers nationwide as well as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, to live up to their oaths of securing Nigerians and ensuring safety for all citizens irrespective of their age, sex, religion or tribe.
“Rather than discouraging us, this will rather strengthen us especially in our resolve to deploy manpower, resources and technology towards the protection of lives and properties. I’m consulting with Traditional rulers across the south-west alongside the governors across the southwest to come up with concrete plans to safe guard our people. We have deep obligations to them in the face of inadequate state security challenges that are threatening the fabric of our existence.
“To my brother the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, and the entire Owo kingdom, to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to the Ondo State Government, to the people of Owo, to the Priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, to the families of all the victims, and the entire people of Ondo State, it is my prayer that Olodumare will comfort you all and give you peace in these trying time.”