Date: 2018-04-15

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Asetemi 111, has called on Nigerians to stand together against blood guzzlers and enemies of the country, nature, and sound reasoning, who take solace in mindless killings of innocent souls.

This, he said would reinforce collective will, to completely snatch the country and destiny from the jaws of insanity and barbarism, just as our socio-cultural orientations that uphold the sanctity of life and the intrinsic dignity in the human person must never be surrendered to the ungodly.

The paramount ruler gave the admonition in Friday in a condolence message sent through a delegation to the Olofa of Offa in Kwara state, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye 11, on the bank robbery that took place in the town over a week ago which claimed many lives.

Alaafin regretted the rising disregard for human lives and insisted that only a multi-level policing could secure the country adequately.

According to him, "life is a gift from God, and if God were to withdraw his breath from humans, they would perish. Since life belongs to God, humans do not have absolute autonomy over their own lives but are stewards of the life given to them by God. The lives of all humans, both their own and others', are to be cherished and guarded. The value of human life is intrinsic, for it derives from God, who made human beings in his own image. Consequently, the person who takes the life of another will be held accountable and punishable by God through his human representatives".

Oba Adeyemi described armed robbers that killed over thirty persons in the town as 'heartless, and human types who engaged in mindless killings.

According to him, "it shocked and saddened us beyond expression. It was not a calamity to the ancient and peaceful town of Offa alone, but also Kwara State and the whole Nation. We in Oyo share in the sorrow attendant to the dastardly act of mindless killings of the innocent lives; of our people at Offa town".

Alaafin went further, " I write on behalf of the Oyomesi- The Oyo Traditional Cabinet, The Obas, Titled Chiefs, the generality of Oyo Citizenry and myself to express our heartfelt condolences to Your Majesty, the families of the victims and the Citizens of Offa in particular and Kwara State in general, on the incident".

While praying for the soul of the victims to rest in perfect peace, Oba Adeyemi urged the Olofa to accept the heartfelt condolences for the untoward incident. Responding on behalf of the Olofa of Offa, the Ojomo of Offaland, high Chief Joseph Bayo Akinola, thanked the Alaafin of Oyo, who he referred to as father to the Olofa, for his concern, and love for the town and people.

Chief Akinola who said the Olofa was unavoidably absent in order to attend to an urgent and pressing matter promised to deliver the condolence message to the monarch on arrival.

Similar message was delivered at the office of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin, the state capital.