The Association of Traditional Baales in Ibadanland has extended warm Ileya greetings to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Sen. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), while also calling for heightened vigilance among traditional rulers and residents over growing security concerns across communities.
In a letter addressed to the Olubadan and dated May 26, 2026, the association, and signed by its Chairman, Baale Folorunso Durojaye Bamitale Ige JP, Baale Olohunde Ige, and General Secretary, Baale Bakare D. Olaniyi, Baale Tella, congratulated the revered monarch and Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Ileya celebration.
The Baales offered prayers for the Olubadan’s long life, sound health, wisdom and a peaceful reign, noting that the festive season should usher in unity, peace, prosperity and renewed hope across Ibadanland and Nigeria.
Beyond the felicitations, the traditional leaders expressed deep concern over recent security challenges in Oyo State, particularly incidents involving abducted school children and the killing of innocent teachers, describing the developments as painful, disturbing and unacceptable.
The association also sympathised with the Governor of Oyo State, affected families and communities over the tragic incidents, stressing that the security situation demands urgent and collective action from all stakeholders.
According to the statement, traditional rulers and community leaders must leverage their closeness to the grassroots to strengthen local intelligence gathering and promptly report suspicious movements, strange gatherings or unusual activities to security agencies.
The Baales further warned against acts of compromise by individuals who allegedly harbour criminals and kidnappers in exchange for financial or material benefits.
They condemned the practice of accepting inducements such as cash gifts, cows or cattle from criminal elements, describing such gestures as “dangerous Trojan gifts” capable of bringing sorrow, destruction and insecurity upon communities.
Reaffirming the role of traditional institutions as custodians of peace, morality and communal security, the association urged all Baales across Ibadanland to rise above personal interests and work hand in hand with security agencies and government authorities to protect lives and preserve peace.
The statement concluded with prayers for continued peace, stability and safety in Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
Read the full letter below:
FROM: THE OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN, ASSOCIATION OF TRADITIONAL BAALES, IBADANLAND
TO: HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, OBA (SEN.) RASHIDI ADEWOLU LADOJA (ARUSA 1), THE OLUBADAN OF IBADANLANDi
SUBJECT: ILEYA FELICITATIONS, CONDOLENCE OVER SECURITY CHALLENGES AND CALL FOR VIGILANCE AMONG TRADITIONAL LEADERS
The Chairman of the Association of Traditional Baales in Ibadanland, Baale Folorunso Durojaye Bamitale Ige JP, Baale Olohunde Ige, together with the General Secretary, Baale Bakare D. Olaniyi, Baale Tella, on behalf of all Traditional Baales and community leaders across Ibadanland, heartily felicitate with His Imperial Majesty, Oba Sen. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the entire Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Ileya Festival.
We pray that Almighty Allah grants Kabiyesi long life, sound health, wisdom, and a peaceful reign over Ibadanland. May this sacred celebration bring unity, peace, prosperity, and renewed hope to our people and the nation at large.
We also use this medium to commiserate with the Executive Governor of Oyo State, the government, and families affected by the unfortunate incidents involving abducted school children and the gruesome killing of innocent teachers.
These tragic developments are painful and unacceptable, and they call for collective action from all stakeholders to safeguard our communities.
In view of the prevailing security concerns, we strongly advise all Traditional Baales, community leaders, and residents to make effective use of our closeness to the grassroots by promptly reporting any suspicious movement, strange gatherings, or activities within our domains to the appropriate security agencies.
Furthermore, we must collectively discourage and put an end to acts of greed and compromise whereby some individuals secretly accommodate criminals and kidnappers within our communities in exchange for material benefits such as cows, cattle, cash gifts, or other inducements. Such benefits are dangerous Trojan gifts that ultimately bring destruction, sorrow, and insecurity upon our people.
Traditional institutions remain custodians of peace, morality, and communal security. Therefore, we must all rise above personal gain and work together with security agencies and government authorities to protect lives, preserve peace, and uphold the dignity of our communities.
May peace continue to reign in Ibadanland, Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole.
Signed:
Baale Folorunso Durojaye Bamitale Ige JP
Baale Olohunde Ige
Chairman, Association of Traditional Baales, Ibadanland.
Baale Bakare D. Olaniyi
Baale Tella
General Secretary, Association of Traditional Baales, Ibadanland
26th, May 2026
