Yuletide: Oluwo Preaches Peace, Calls For End To Banditry, Ritual Killing, Kidnaping

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi has appealed to perpetrators of banditry, terrorism and Kidnapping to honour Nigerians and themselves by ending acts that are constituting threat to Nigeria’s peace.

The appeal was contained in a Christmas message by Alli Ibraheem, his Chief Press Secretary.

In his words, “Love is the greatest you can give to nature. Love is rich and the most reasonable we can give to ourselves. Spread love to make the world a better place.

“The spate of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping is worrisome. I appeal to perpetrators to honour Nigerians and themselves by resigning honourably from acts capable of constituting threat to Nigeria’s peace.

“The ritual killings characterizing south western Nigeria depicts an absence of love. How on earth and for what purpose will you be convinced to killing a fellow for rituals? Ritualists are enjoined to eschew offering human for rituals. Where love reigns, peace rules.

“To the Boko Haram terrorists, kindly honour human lives and stop shedding blood. There is no religious or whatsoever justification to kill a fellow without court pronouncement. Be considerate and fear the Creator. With peace and love, we can be better and stronger.

“The banditry ravaging some parts of the Eastern Nigeria is a product of love lost. Destroying life and properties is a product of no love.

“Another threat to our peace is kidnapping for ransom. Some have been killed in captivity. My honest Christmas appeal to the kidnappers: the strategy and energy committed to kidnapping is enough to have an honourable life.”

While maintaining that the Christmas season presented an opportunity for repentance, Oba Akanbi pleaded with the bandits and kidnappers to redirect their energy to a more honourable means of survival.