By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Monarch asserts invincibility against bandits
The traditional ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has boldly declared his immunity against kidnapping or assassination attempts by bandits or any criminal elements. Speaking from his palace in Iwo, Oba Akanbi emphasized his reliance on divine protection rather than traditional deities, urging fellow monarchs to do the same.
In a statement to journalists, Oba Akanbi expressed his unwavering confidence in God’s protection, dismissing the notion that traditional rulers are vulnerable targets due to their reliance on ancestral powers. He stressed the need for monarchs to shift their trust from deities to the Almighty God, warning that continued reliance on traditional practices could dishonor their thrones.
The monarch’s assertion comes amidst growing concerns over the safety of traditional rulers, following the recent deaths of three monarchs in Ekiti and Kwara states at the hands of bandits. Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, and Oba Olatunde Olusola, the Onimojo of Omojola-Ekiti, were abducted and killed by kidnappers in Ekiti, while Oba Peter Aremu, the Onikoro of Koro-Ekiti in Kwara state, was murdered at his palace.
As the nation mourns the loss of these revered leaders, Oba Akanbi’s firm stance serves as a reminder of the resilience and unwavering faith of traditional rulers in the face of adversity.
Monarch, Bandits