security
Ondo Attack: Oduduwa Descendants Cannot Be Overrun In Their Own Homes, Ooni Of Ife Declares
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has condemned the gruesome attacks and killings of the Christian faithful in St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State, declaring that the descendants of Oduduwa cannot be overrun in their own homes.
He said rather than Yoruba people being discouraged by the ugly incident, it will rather strengthen them in their resolve to deploy manpower, resources and technology towards the protection of lives and properties.
Oba Ogunwusi in a statement he released on his verified social media on Monday said the Ondo attack had taken place exactly one year after an invading gang of killer herdsmen killed at least over 20 people in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State, which showed that intelligence unit of Nigeria’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing.
He said: “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.
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“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.”
Oba Ogunwusi also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the South-West governors and traditional rulers to work tirelessly toward the safety of lives and properties.
“I implore the six governors across the South-West region and their brothers nationwide as well as 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, 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 South-West to come up with concrete plans to safeguard 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 Oguntoye 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,” Ooni of Ife stated.