The traditional ruler of Babanla, a community ravaged by banditry in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has denied allegations that he was arrested for collaborating with armed gangs.

Oba Adegboyega Alabi spoke at a press conference in Ilorin on Wednesday, responding to a video that circulated widely on social media claiming he was detained after a large sum of money allegedly linked to kidnapping ransoms was discovered in his palace and bank accounts.

He firmly denied being questioned or arrested by any law enforcement agency.

However, Oba Alabi confirmed that some individuals had been taken into custody and transferred to Abuja over suspected involvement in receiving illicit funds from kidnapping operations.

He attributed the false narrative implicating him to malicious actors seeking to destabilise peace within the community.

"In respect of the insecurity in our community, some people have been picked up and taken to Abuja for their alleged involvement in possessing huge amounts of money," he said. "But the claim that I was arrested or that such money was found in my palace is completely false."

The monarch called for unity and cautioned against spreading unverified information that could deepen fear and division.

"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," the traditional ruler said. Military base

Mr Alabi urged the Nigerian government to establish a military base in the area because of a forest that stretches to Edu, Patigi, Oke-Ero local government areas in Kwara and Kogi State.

He said the forest has become a haven for bandits, arguing that military presence in the area would check their activities in the forest.

The traditional ruler said the intervention of armed personnel had restored relative peace in Babanla but maintained that addressing the issue permanently would require the forest to be combed.

Mr Alabi said the Babanla community is ready to donate the forest to the government to enhance security in the area and create employment opportunities for the people.

"I have consulted all the necessary security agencies and they are working very hard on the security situation in our town. When you go to Babanla, people now sleep peacefully.

"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.

"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.

"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 the last attacks on the community, the traditional ruler said the bandits stole about 20 motorcycles and looted businesses.

Mr Alabi said the bandits' activities forced people to abandon their farms and businesses.

However, said peace has been restored in the community with residents going about their normal activities.