20/05/2026
*COMMUNITY LEADERS URGED TO CONVENE SOUTHWEST SECURITY DIALOGUE ON FOREST SAFETY AND RURAL PROTECTION*
*Breaking Development:*
A Yoruba socio-cultural advocacy body has appealed to prominent traditional institutions across the Southwest to convene an emergency security dialogue focused on community safety and forest area protection.
The call was directed to revered royal fathers including the Ooni of Ife, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, the Olubadan of Ibadan, the Deji of Akure, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, the Orangun of Ila, the Olowo of Owo, the Ogoga of Ikere, the Alake of Egba, the Olugbon, the Olowu, the Osemawe of Ondo, the Alara, the Ajero, the Oba of Lagos, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, the Olota of Otta, the Aseyin of Iseyin, the Olofa of Offa, the Ataoja of Osogbo, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, and other respected traditional rulers across Yorubaland.
The proposed dialogue would also involve the six Southwest state governors and notable community stakeholders with experience in grassroots security awareness. The goal is to strengthen lawful collaboration between traditional institutions, state governments, and relevant security agencies.
*Key areas proposed for discussion include:*
1. *Enhanced forest area monitoring*: Developing lawful strategies to improve safety and monitoring in rural and forested areas, in full cooperation with official security agencies.
2. *Safe resolution of ongoing incidents*: Appealing for the peaceful and safe release of all persons affected by recent security incidents, without further harm.
3. *Long-term security planning*: Charting a sustainable framework for community safety across the Southwest, with emphasis on prevention, early warning, and legal compliance.
4. *Stakeholder collaboration*: Encouraging unity and coordinated efforts among community leaders and civic stakeholders who are committed to peace and lawful engagement.
5. *Support for official security structures*: Recommending that state-supported communit
