Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Other South-West States Go Traditional in Fighting Bandits

By: Sunday Ameh

As insecurity continues to pose a major challenge across Nigeria, several states in the South-West region have increasingly turned to traditional methods in support of efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.

In recent months, local hunters and vigilante groups in states across the region have reportedly intensified the use of traditional spiritual practices, commonly referred to as “juju,” in tracking and apprehending suspected criminals operating within their communities.

The development has gained renewed attention following the reported arrest of suspected bandits by local hunters in Akoko, Ondo State, on Thursday morning. According to reports, the suspects were apprehended after hunters allegedly deployed traditional means to trace their movements and location.

Similarly, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, local hunters on Wednesday reportedly arrested a number of suspected bandits through what community members described as the use of traditional spiritual intelligence and indigenous security methods.

The growing reliance on traditional security measures comes amid rising concerns over incidents of kidnapping and attacks on rural communities across parts of the South-West.

In Oyo State, where recent cases of abduction have heightened fears among residents, local hunters have also adopted traditional approaches alongside conventional security efforts in a bid to safeguard lives and property.

Community leaders and security volunteers in the state argue that indigenous knowledge and traditional practices have historically played important roles in local security and intelligence gathering.

Across Ekiti and other South-West states, hunters, vigilante groups, and community security networks are reportedly embracing similar strategies as part of broader efforts to confront criminal elements operating in forests and remote areas.

Supporters of the approach maintain that traditional methods complement existing security operations and provide local communities with additional tools to protect themselves against criminal activities.

While security experts continue to emphasize the importance of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies, many residents believe the combination of conventional and indigenous security measures is contributing to the ongoing fight against banditry in the region.

As insecurity remains a pressing national concern, the South-West’s increasing embrace of traditional security practices reflects the determination of local communities to explore all available means to defend their territories and restore public confidence in safety and security.