In a powerful and unifying address, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has stated that terrorists operating in Nigeria do not differentiate between Muslims and Christians, viewing everyone as potential prey.
The foremost traditional ruler made this assertion over the weekend while receiving the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, at his palace.
Oba Ladoja’s comments came in response to recent statements from former US President Donald Trump, who alleged a genocide against Christians in Nigeria. The monarch firmly countered this narrative, insisting that the violence perpetrated by terrorists is indiscriminate.
“I want to caution that terrorists don’t know the difference between Muslims and Christians. They see everybody as a prey, while they are the predator,” Oba Ladoja declared, as contained in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Adeola Oloko, on Sunday.
Emphasizing the widespread impact of terrorism, the Olubadan highlighted that countless lives have been lost, valuable properties destroyed, and multitudes of families, particularly women and children, have been displaced from their homes.
He called for national unity in the face of the common enemy, advising Nigerians to stand together to fight terrorism to a standstill. Furthermore, he sent a clear message to the former US President, advising him to “steer clear of Nigeria” and avoid statements that could inflame religious tensions.
Appealing for calm, Oba Ladoja urged Bishop Wale Oke to help placate aggrieved Christians within his fold, affirming that the difficult times would eventually pass.
