The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, has thrown his weight behind Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho and his newly introduced Iru Ekun Security Network, urging stakeholders to unite against insecurity and protect the peace of Ekiti State.
The monarch made the call on Thursday when Igboho visited the Ewi Palace in Ado-Ekiti as part of activities marking the inauguration and recognition of the Iru Ekun Security Network in the state.
Igboho told the monarch that the security initiative was designed to complement the efforts of existing security agencies in combating banditry, kidnapping and other threats to lives and property. He said the network had grown to more than 120,000 members and would focus on supporting security efforts across the Southwest.
He explained that his return to Nigeria followed an authorisation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that he decided to use the opportunity to establish a community-based security structure that would contribute to peace and safety across the region.
Igboho expressed appreciation to the Ewi and other Ekiti monarchs for their support, recalling that about 10 traditional rulers from Ekiti attended his mother’s burial. He said the gesture demonstrated the goodwill and affection of the people of Ekiti toward him.
Speaking with journalists after the palace visit, Igboho said the Iru Ekun Security Network was not created to undermine the police, DSS or other conventional security agencies but to support them. He said the police were already doing their best and that the new initiative would work with them to make peace prevail across the Southwest.
“My advice for my people in Ekiti is that we need to join our hands together to make peace reign in this state. We need to support our government, our mothers and our fathers to make peace reign in our land,” Igboho said.
The Ewi, while welcoming Igboho to the palace, said the traditional institution supported every genuine effort aimed at promoting peace and security. He noted that development could not take place where insecurity persists, stressing that traditional rulers had a major responsibility to protect their communities because they remained with their people regardless of changes in political administration.
Oba Aladesanmi urged the Iru Ekun members to maintain their good intentions, respect traditional institutions and work closely with established security agencies. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and encouraged continued cooperation among the government, traditional rulers, communities and security agencies.
The Ekiti coordinator of the network, identified as Ifa Tosin, was inaugurated during the event, while Osamika presented Igboho with an award in recognition of his support for Ekiti.
