*Says attack is a dagger plunged into heart of ancestral empire
By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has condemned the brutal attack on Oloka village and the killing of forest rangers within Old Oyo National Park.
In a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, after a solemn proclamation, the Alaafin calls for the establishment of Military base at Otefon village to fortify the region and secure the Oyo-Oduduwa corridor.
He also called for the deployment of Yoruba Defense Force Battalion, under joint command of the Nigerian Army and traditional warrior chiefs — to patrol the park 24/7 and repel invaders.
This is as the monarch called on the Federal Government and particularly the Ministry of Defence to declare Otefon a strategic National Security Zone and fund construction of barracks, watchtowers, and helipad within next few months.
Presenting the proclamation which was read at the imperial Court of Oyo, the Alaafin said: “The recent brutal killings inside Old Oyo National Park, especially the massacre at Oloko — is not merely a ‘security breach.’ It is a dagger plunged into the heart of our ancestral empire. Our sacred forests, our game reserves, our historic grounds, where our kings once hunted with spears and drums — are now being turned into slaughter yards by armed marauders. This will not stand.
“His Majesty has decreed the following actions:
“Official Condemnation of the senseless murder of innocent civilians, rangers, and travelers in Old Oyo National Park — demanding full, transparent investigation and immediate arrest of all perpetrators.
“Establishment of Military Base: designation of Otefon Village as a permanent Armed Military Base of the kingdom, to fortify the region and secure the Oyo-Oduduwa corridor.
“Deployment of Yoruba Defense Force Battalion — under joint command of the Nigerian Army and traditional warrior chiefs — to patrol the park 24/7 and repel invaders.
“Federal Recognition – call on the President and Ministry of Defence to declare Otefon a strategic National Security Zone and fund construction of barracks, watchtowers, and helipad within next few months.”
The Paramount Ruler who described banditry and other security challenges facing the country as ‘gory, worrisome and disturbing’, pointed out that security is critical to the survival of any nation to forestall lawlessness, chaos and disorder.
Oba Owoade lauded President Bola Tinubu’s demonstration, through actions, that ending insecurity is one of his administration’s foremost concern.
“Our ancestors did not build empires to watch them crumble under banditry. We will rebuild the walls,, not with mud, but with steel. Not with prayers alone, but with patrols. Not with silence — but with thunder”, Alaafin stressed.
