‘No Traditional Ruler Wants Terrorists In Their Domain’ — Olofin Backs State Police
The Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade, has dismissed allegations that traditional rulers are complicit in the growing insecurity across Nigeria, insisting that no monarch would willingly allow terrorists or bandits to terrorise their own communities.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the monarch, who is also the Edun Alaka III, said traditional rulers are often unfairly accused because security agencies are not always available to act on intelligence gathered at the grassroots.
“We have this information that some traditional rulers are complicit in these situations, but I don’t think it’s true,” Bamgbade said.
“No traditional ruler would want his town or community raided by these terrorists or bandits, whatever we call them.”
He explained that many traditional rulers receive credible information about criminal activities but lack direct access to security agencies capable of responding promptly.
“When you have this information and the security operatives are not on the ground to pass this information to, people see it as if you are complicit in all of this action, but they are not,” he added.
The monarch also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, describing the initiative as long overdue.
According to him, traditional rulers should be formally integrated into the proposed security architecture to improve intelligence gathering and response at the community level.
“If these traditional rulers are part of this security architecture, once a traditional ruler gets information, he passes it to the chairman, who has an express way of getting it to those who should act on it,” he said.
His comments come as insecurity continues to plague rural communities across Nigeria, where terrorists, bandits and other armed groups have carried out repeated attacks, mass abductions and deadly assaults.
Several states, including Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and parts of the North Central and South-West, have witnessed persistent attacks that have displaced residents, disrupted farming and forced schools to close.
The recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states have further intensified calls for decentralised policing and stronger community-based security structures.
The push for state police has gained momentum in recent months. While the Senate has passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, President Bola Tinubu has also inaugurated a Presidential Working Group to develop the legal framework for its implementation.
The House of Representatives has similarly resolved to consider the Presidency’s proposal as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Follow us for more news updates…
Author
