A first-class traditional ruler in Osun State and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to enact a law in collaboration with the National Assembly for the quick trial and execution of culpable kidnappers.
The monarch, who made the call in a letter written to the president, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Osogbo on Thursday, affirmed, “Let two, three, or four culpable kidnappers taste death, then we will breathe the air of peace. There is no justifiable excuse for injustice.”
“Injustice is only justified when a matching penalty is meted. The change is in action. Let two, three, or four culpable kidnappers taste death, then we will breathe the air of peace.
Regarding the Nigeria security architecture, he said it cannot be strengthened in isolation, stating that Nigerians must volunteer to support the service chiefs and other security agencies in intelligence gathering.
“Community policing should be encouraged. They should be organized to promote the street-to-street security network. We can’t enhance the security architecture without the involvement of all and sundry. I’m hopeful of a greater nation. It’s left to us, all of us.”
He, however, charged the federal government to organize a special national program with effective monitoring to ensure Fulani children are in the classroom.
The royal father further agitated for legislation that will compel education for children and one that will enact strict punishment for parents refusing to educate their children, saying priority can be placed on the Fulanis with preferential monitoring of nomadic settlements.
According to the letter, “This option will secure their future to be engineers, pilots, doctors, professors, kings, bankers, ambassadors, etc., and not kidnappers. My domain is the highest host of the Fulanis in Osun State.”
“Before the escalation of the kidnapping menace, I visited the Fulanis in my domain mandating formal education and threatened to arrest parents of teen children rearing cattle during school hours. They obliged, although not completely. Recently, Seriki Fulani brought one of their children who graduated from university to my palace.”
“The government must invest heavily in sponsoring a few of the Fulanis on ranching. The few trained will train others (Training the trainers). I have done it in the past. I tutored Fulanis in my area on the ranch and provision of hay.”
“You walk your cattle miles to feed them. Gained nutrients are almost used while covering miles walking them back home. Even in the course of covering miles of journey in the bush, there are many dangers.”
“The federal government should legislate on advanced training on cattle raising as obtainable in developed nations. Construct a ranch on your personal land, and feed them with hay. Hay is the best food for cattle. There is little nutrient in silage.”
“This singular effort will immensely address many abnormalities in cattle raising and bring sanity to our society. Without training, not much can be done to address Fulani herdsmen and farmers’ clashes. Enforcing a strict penalty/punishment may follow.”
“Amenities should equally be extended to their doorsteps. Extending social amenities will make them flow along and bridge the social gap.”
“Security is the lifeline, powerhouse, and the mitochondria of every nation, Nigeria inclusive. Checkmating insecurities in a diverse nation like Nigeria requires the cooperation and support of all and sundry.”
“As a keen observer and a Paramount Traditional Ruler, I cannot but commend the founding fathers who harmonized the conglomerates into a single entity in 1914. And as patriots, we must at all costs be ready to defend the unity and strengthen the security of Nigeria as an entity.”
“Nigeria’s security space is currently under test. At this critical moment, Nigeria needs everyone to nip in the bud the recurrent kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism plaguing the nation. I’m compelled to write this letter as a father to the nation and offer my royal words of advice laden with solutions.”
“The recent security threat emanating from incessant kidnapping by bad elements or alleged Fulani herdsmen calls for urgent panaceas. I’ve suggested to the last administration both long-term and short-term solutions.”
“The kidnapping in the western part of Nigeria is alleged to be masterminded by the Fulani herdsmen believed to know the nooks and crannies of our bushes.
This claim has not exonerated even the Yorubas. Evidence of some arrests recorded in the past shows a greater percentage of kidnapping in the Southwest carried out by the bad elements among the Fulanis.”
“The Fulani herdsmen are practically Nigerians. They exercise their civic rights during elections. They participate in the process to elect new leaders but are not properly integrated into the society during the sharing of the dividends of democracy.
They live a deplorable life with no access to social amenities such as roads, pipeborne water, electricity, hospitals, schools, etc. Only animals are so neglected in the bush and hunted only when one is hungry. We can’t continue treating them awfully and expect them to treat us well.”
“Moreover, as the number one citizen and a very active leader, I’m optimistic your administration will ensure Fulanis in the bushes are catered for.”
