By Oketooto Seun Lanre
The recent wave of terrorist attacks and organized killings across parts of Nigeria, particularly in Kwara State, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, communities in Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Niger and some parts of the South-West, has once again exposed the dangerous vacuum between the people and the government structures meant to protect them. Our traditional rulers, who are the closest authorities to the grassroots, have been constitutionally weakened, politically caged and administratively buried under Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. This outdated structure has reduced many revered monarchs to ceremonial spectators while criminals invade forests, villages and highways unchecked. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must urgently champion a constitutional framework that removes traditional institutions from political manipulation and places them on an independent national security advisory structure directly answerable to the Federal Government on matters of intelligence gathering, community policing and grassroots security coordination.
Historically, Yoruba monarchs and several traditional rulers across Nigeria were never passive occupiers of royal thrones; they were warriors, defenders and protectors of their people. Ooni Derin Ologbenla was feared for defending his territory, Sàngó was feared for defending the old Oyo Empire with uncommon authority and military strength. Lisabi Agbongbo Akala mobilized the Egba people against oppression and led a resistance that liberated his people from external domination.
Ogedengbe Agbogungboro stood courageously during the Kiriji War to defend Ijesaland from invasion, while Orompoto historically led military campaigns and strengthened territorial security during her reign. These monarchs did not wait for political approvals before protecting their territories because the throne itself symbolized authority, courage and sacrifice. The current system where state governments determine the survival, suspension or removal of kings has silenced many traditional rulers who fear political victimization for speaking boldly against insecurity in their domains. A king who risks deposition for defending his people cannot function effectively as the true custodian of his ancestral territory. The Federal Government must therefore initiate bold reforms that will establish a National Traditional Security Council directly linked to the Presidency and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Monarchs should have structured intelligence channels with the military, police, DSS, civil defence and forest guards. Every traditional ruler must supervise community-based security networks through Baales, village heads, hunters and vigilante groups legally recognized under federal security architecture. Traditional institutions should also have constitutional authority to document suspicious movements, monitor ungoverned forests and report criminal settlements before attacks occur. The removal, installation or suspension of monarchs should no longer be subjected entirely to the political interests of governors or ruling parties. Instead, a non-partisan National Council of Traditional Institutions, backed by constitutional provisions, should oversee royal matters independently to preserve the dignity, neutrality and effectiveness of the throne. A king loyal to his people must never become vulnerable to political intimidation for refusing to compromise security realities.
Nigeria must understand that insecurity cannot be defeated from government offices alone. Abuja cannot understand the forests of Kaiama in Kwara, the villages of Oriire in Oyo, the troubled communities of Benue or the fragile terrains of Zamfara better than the monarchs who live among the people daily. Traditional rulers know the strangers entering their domains, the uncompleted settlements in forests, the suspicious routes used by kidnappers and the local collaborators aiding terrorism. Any nation that disconnects its kings from security administration weakens its grassroots intelligence structure. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a historic opportunity to restore the lost strength of traditional institutions and create a people-centered security model capable of confronting terrorism from the roots. Enough of the bloodshed, enough of the kidnappings and enough of helpless communities crying without protection. The time has come for Nigeria to return dignity, authority and constitutional relevance to the traditional institution for the survival of the nation itself.
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