Islamic Fanatics Are Insulting Yoruba Kings, Traditional Institution’: ‘Isese’ Adherent Tani Olohun Urges Monarchs To Speak Out

‘Islamic Fanatics Are Insulting Yoruba Kings, Traditional Institution’: ‘Isese’ Adherent Tani Olohun Urges Monarchs To Speak Out

He alleged that some people had insulted and ridiculed prominent Yoruba monarchs without consequences, while authorities were allegedly using the police to track him after he responded to such comments.

Controversial advocate of Isese, the indigenous Yoruba faith, Abdulazeez Adegbola, popularly known as Tani Olohun, has urged Yoruba traditional rulers to speak up against what he described as repeated insults and attacks on their institution by alleged Islamic fanatics.

Tani Olohun made the call in a video message seen by SaharaReporters, while also clarifying the role played by Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, during an attempt by police officers to arrest him in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He alleged that some people had insulted and ridiculed prominent Yoruba monarchs without consequences, while authorities were allegedly using the police to track him after he responded to such comments.

“They have insulted and ridiculed you, dragged your names through the mud, yet you did nothing. But the moment I responded, they used the Sharia police to track my movement. I urge you to speak up and put an end to this,” he said.

Addressing Yoruba monarchs directly, he said, “Yoruba kings, you are tolerating abuses. They have abused Ooni of Ife, they have insulted Olubadan, same thing was done to Oluwo. People are insulting them. I only responded to these people to stop insulting Yoruba kings and they are using the police to look for me. Please, all Yoruba kings should take the matter seriously.”

Tani Olohun also denied claims that Sunday Igboho prevented the police from arresting him, saying the activist only arrived after a confrontation between the officers and residents had already lasted for about 30 minutes.

“We thank everybody who supported me and prevented my abduction by the police. I am presently receiving treatment,” he said.

“I made this video to clarify the viral claim that Sunday Igboho prevented the police from arresting me and that he was disrespecting the laws of the land. I want to make it clear that Chief Sunday Igboho did not breach any law or disrespect the law.”

According to him, the officers allegedly attempted to take him away without giving him an opportunity to explain himself.

“I was at home when the police came to arrest me. They did not even give me any opportunity to talk. It was when they started assaulting me that my people, relatives and neighbours insisted that I would not be arrested,” he said.

“We had been dealing with the situation for about 30 minutes before Sunday Igboho arrived. By then, people had already blocked the police officers from leaving.”

He said Igboho subsequently questioned the decision of officers from the Kwara State Police Command to travel to Ibadan to arrest him over an alleged offence.

Tani Olohun further claimed that Igboho contacted senior police officers in both Oyo and Kwara states over the incident.

“When Sunday Igboho arrived, he called the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State and the commissioner said he knew nothing about the operation,” he said.

“He then called the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, and the police boss appealed to him to rescue his personnel from the scene.”

He stressed that Igboho’s intervention was aimed at preventing further escalation rather than stopping the police from carrying out their duties.

The clarification followed confirmation by the Oyo State Police Command that the officers involved in the incident were from the Kwara State Command and had travelled to Ibadan to arrest Tani Olohun.

The Oyo Police Command said the officers were acting on a warrant issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court in connection with allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The command said the warrant was issued after Tani Olohun allegedly failed to comply with conditions attached to a previously granted bail.

However, the Oyo Commissioner of Police directed the Kwara officers to return to their state and advised the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan, where the alleged offence was said to have occurred.

The command said the directive was consistent with due process and the principle of territorial jurisdiction.

The case followed a complaint filed by the Ilorin Heritage Preservation Foundation against Tani Olohun over a social media video which the foundation alleged mocked an Islamic prayer and could cause religious tension.

The matter is before the Upper Area Court II, Ilorin Judicial Division, and has been adjourned until September 1, 2026.

Tani Olohun, a prominent Isese adherent, has been involved in controversies concerning traditional religion, religious freedom and Yoruba cultural practices.

The allegations against him remain before the court and have not been proven.