The traditional ruler of Babanla in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Adegboyega Alabi, has denied reports circulating on social media that he was arrested for colluding with bandits and harbouring proceeds of kidnapping in his palace.

Naijaonpoint reports that a viral video alleged that security operatives found huge sums of money in the monarch’s palace and bank accounts.

Speaking at a press conference in Ilorin on Wednesday, Oba Alabi dismissed the claims as false and mischievous.

The monarch said, “In respect of the insecurity in our community, some people have been picked up and taken to Abuja for their alleged involvement of having huge amount of money. And many people have heard the state Commissioner of Police saying nothing was found in my palace. The same thing for Oba of Alabe. There was nothing found in his palace.

“So, no traditional ruler is in the net of the security agencies. I believe that the people spreading the rumour are the enemies of the community. But I’m telling you that they have not found any amount of money in my house.”

Oba Alabi noted that the vast forest linking Kwara and Kogi states had become a haven for bandits, stressing the need for a permanent security presence in the area.

“When the Army GOC came, I told him that the solution is for them to comb the largest forest so that these criminals will leave that place for us. I told the GOC that we want them to place an army base very close to that forest so that we won’t have problem again about the invaders,” he said.

The monarch also disclosed that the Babanla community was ready to cede the forest to the government for security and development purposes.

He further stated, “When the governor came and asked that if this forest is cleared, are we ready to give it to the government, I said yes. We are ready to give it to the government so that any investor can make use of the forest.”

Recalling previous attacks, Oba Alabi said bandits once stole about 20 motorcycles and looted businesses, forcing residents to flee their farms.

“It is not only in Babanla that we are experiencing kidnapping. People are talking about Babanla because we have the large forest where kidnappers and bandits are hiding. It is a very large land that extends to Edu, Patigi, Oke-Ero and Kogi State,” he said.

The monarch, however, assured that the intervention of security operatives had restored relative peace to the town.