The traditional ruler of Babanla in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Adegboyega Alabi, has publicly denied allegations circulating on social media regarding his arrest for colluding with bandits and harboring proceeds of kidnapping in his palace.
Reports from Naija News indicate that a viral video claimed security operatives discovered substantial sums of money in the monarch’s palace and bank accounts.
During a press conference held in Ilorin on Wednesday, Oba Alabi dismissed these claims as false and mischievous. He stated, “In respect of the insecurity in our community, some people have been picked up and taken to Abuja for their alleged involvement of having huge amounts of money. Many have heard the state Commissioner of Police say that nothing was found in my palace. The same applies to the Oba of Alabe. There was nothing found in his palace.”
He emphasized that no traditional ruler is under investigation by security agencies, attributing the rumors to community enemies. “I’m telling you that they have not found any amount of money in my house,” he added.
Oba Alabi highlighted the vast forest linking Kwara and Kogi states as a haven for bandits, urging for a permanent security presence in the area. “When the Army GOC came, I told him that the solution is for them to comb the largest forest so that these criminals will leave that place for us. I told the GOC that we want them to place an army base very close to that forest so that we won’t have problems again about the invaders,” he said.
Furthermore, the monarch revealed that the Babanla community is willing to cede the forest to the government for security and development purposes. “When the governor came and asked if this forest is cleared, are we ready to give it to the government, I said yes. We are ready to give it to the government so that any investor can make use of the forest,” he stated.
Recalling previous attacks, Oba Alabi mentioned that bandits had stolen around 20 motorcycles and looted businesses, causing residents to flee their farms. “It is not only in Babanla that we are experiencing kidnapping. People are talking about Babanla because we have the large forest where kidnappers and bandits are hiding. It is a very large land that extends to Edu, Patigi, Oke-Ero and Kogi State,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, the monarch assured that the intervention of security operatives has helped restore relative peace to the town.
#Kwara #Monarch #Banditry #Security #Community #Nigeria #Ifelodun #ObaAlabi
