By OLAJIDE IDOWU

A traditional ruler, Oba Ademola Adeyeye, the Lowa Adimula of Ile-Ife, has called on the Federal Government to tighten the country?s borders to curb the influx of bandits and other criminals into the country.

Adeyeye, the third in command to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, made the call on Friday in Ile-Ife during a news conference to herald his 70th birthday.

The traditional ruler, who decried the spate of insecurity in the country, said that many of the criminal activities perpetrated in the country were caused by influx of foreigners.

According to him, the recent killings in the North Central states are pathetic and senseless, so the Federal Government should do the needful to safeguard the lives of Nigerians.

?Traditional rulers should also be empowered to assist government in rooting-out criminals in their domains.

?The spread of insecurity in the country, especially in the northern region, is caused by the incursion of criminals from the neighbouring states,? he said.

Adeyeye, who spoke on the development of Ile-Ife, described the town as the cradle of the Yoruba race, which should be given the needed development by both the state and Federal Governments.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as the pride of the Yoruba race, to assist the town with infrastructural development to uplift the ancient city of Ile-Ife.

?I give glory to God for putting President Bola Tinubu as the president of Nigeria.

?I am appealing to the president to have a cursory look to the roles of traditional rulers, as a grassroots mobilisers, by upgrading their status.

?I also appeal to the National Assembly to intensify more efforts by passing a bill which will include traditional rulers in the helms of affairs of the country,? he said. (NAN)

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