The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has urged Nigerians to come together in a concerted fight against terrorism and to address the grievances of affected communities, in light of a recent military action threat by US President Donald Trump.
Oba Ladoja made the remarks while receiving Bishop Francis Wale Oke, President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, over the weekend.
In a statement by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the monarch recalled that Nigeria has grappled with terrorism for more than a decade, tracing the challenge back to the twilight of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2014.
“Many lives have been lost, and property worth unimaginable amounts has been destroyed. Countless families, especially women and children, have been displaced. Kidnappings have become rampant, and successive administrations have spent trillions of naira combating insecurity,” Oba Ladoja said.
He continued: “Despite the efforts of former Presidents Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, and the ongoing attempts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, terrorism remains a threat. Terrorists do not differentiate between Muslims and Christians; all citizens are their targets.”
The monarch appealed to religious leaders, including the PFN, to assist in placating aggrieved communities, noting that peace and unity are critical in overcoming insecurity.
Speaking on interfaith harmony, Oba Ladoja observed that in South-Western Nigeria, people of different religious backgrounds enjoy peaceful coexistence, and he wondered why similar tolerance is not evident in other regions.
While acknowledging the desire of many Nigerians for a decisive fight against terrorism, he cautioned against external military intervention in Nigeria’s internal affairs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration rather than unilateral action.
Bishop Oke congratulated Oba Ladoja on his installation as the 44th Olubadan and prayed for divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding for him to discharge his duties to the satisfaction of God and humanity.
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