The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has called on Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism and seek peaceful reconciliation with the aggrieved, following a recent military threat issued by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking at his palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, over the weekend during a visit from the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Oba Ladoja emphasized that Nigeria must take decisive and collective steps to end terrorism.
In a statement released by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the monarch noted that Nigeria has endured more than a decade of insecurity, dating back to the twilight of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2014. He lamented the loss of countless lives, destruction of property worth trillions of naira, and the displacement of families across the nation.
“Many people have been killed, and property worth an inestimable amount of money destroyed. Multitudes of families, particularly women and children, have been displaced,” Oba Ladoja said. “Kidnappings have taken place. Successive administrations have spent trillions to fight insecurity. When you look at this scenario over the past ten years, people are bound to feel aggrieved and resort to self-help.”
He acknowledged the efforts of Nigeria’s past and present leaders in tackling insecurity, saying: “President Goodluck Jonathan tried. President Muhammadu Buhari tried. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying. But I want to caution that terrorists don’t know the difference between Muslims and Christians. They see everybody as prey, while they are the predator.”
The monarch further appealed to the PFN leadership to help promote peace and understanding among Christians, noting that the period of insecurity would soon pass. “As the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, a constituent part of CAN, we are appealing to you to please help us to placate our Christian brethren who are understandably aggrieved that these times will pass,” he said.
Oba Ladoja also praised the harmony that exists among people of different faiths in the South-West and wondered why such tolerance has been difficult to achieve in other parts of the country.
While stressing that Nigerians must take the lead in ending terrorism, the Olubadan expressed reservations about US military involvement in Nigeria’s internal affairs, stating that collaboration, not intervention, should guide international support.
In response, Bishop Wale Oke congratulated Oba Ladoja on his ascension as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland and prayed for divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to guide his reign.
What You Should Know
Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, is renowned for his commitment to peace, unity, and social harmony across Nigeria.
His recent remarks come amid global attention on Nigeria’s security crisis, intensified by President Donald Trump’s threat of possible US military action.
Ladoja’s appeal for unity underscores the importance of internal cooperation, faith-based dialogue, and homegrown solutions to end terrorism rather than relying on foreign intervention.
