72 hours to ‘spiritual warfare’: Oba of Benin mobilizes against terrorists

By Ozioruva Aliu

BY Wednesday (72 hours away), diviners, priests, priestesses and various shrines in Benin Kingdom and their custodians would invoke “irreversible curse” on kidnappers, bandits and all involved in violent crimes in the seven local government areas that make up the Benin kingdom.

The Benin monarch had, last Tuesday, met with various categories of spiritualists and leaders in the kingdom where he announced a ten-day period for them to consult with their powers and that by July 2 (Wednesday), they should openly invoke the destructive curses on the criminals.

The last time a similar thing happened in the kingdom was in May 2018 when Oba Ewuare II placed a curse on perpetrators of human trafficking and their collaborators including native doctors and priests who administered oath of secrecy on victims.

He also said then that the oath of secrecy administered on the victims had been encouraging the illegal trade and called on all native doctors to shun the act and join hands with the palace to attract development.

Oba Ewuare II also invoked his power as the spiritual leader of Benin kingdom to nullify all the oaths of secrecy administered on all victims of human trafficking and urged them to speak out and seek assistance.

The situation in the state as of today indicated that despite the efforts of the state government to check the activities of kidnappers, cultism and other violent crimes, some diehard criminals have not relented.

The most celebrated incident in the kingdom happened three weeks ago when kidnappers in the early hours of the day stormed the popular elite Vegetable Market off Airport Road and kidnapped a woman.

The assailants were eventually apprehended after their victim was released and the ransom paid recovered.

The incident happened about 1000 metres from the back wall of the Palace of the Oba of Benin, this some analysts believed fastback the decision of the Monarch to call for a meeting of spiritual leaders in the kingdom.

Summon

Determined to complement efforts of the state government, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) on the orders of the oba issued a summon, dated June 19, to “all Igiohen N’ Ikpia and Igiohen N’ Ikhuo, traditional doctors in Benin Kingdom, to an emergency meeting.”

The statement, signed by Chief Asiriuwa Victor Nosakhare on behalf of the Secretary of the BTC, said: “Having taken due cognisance of the prevailing security situation within Edo State and the Nation at large, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, has deemed it necessary and expedient to further explore all traditional and strategic means to complement the initiatives of Government towards the restoration of peace, order, and security in our domain.”

Meeting

On the day of the meeting, which was June 23, the Oba directed traditionalists in the kingdom to declare ‘spiritual warfare’ and lay curses against banditry and other violent crimes in the kingdom.

In attendance at the meeting were traditional priests and priestesses, native doctors, water goddesses, Osokpikan, Aiyelala and Olokun adherents in his kingdom where he fixed July 2 for the laying curses on kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals in the kingdom and Edo State at large.

The Oba directed them to embark on a week-long spiritual exercise to intercede for the land, banditry and other crimes that have gained traction in some parts of Nigeria.

 He assured that God and his royal ancestors would not allow machinations of the wicked to prevail in any part of Nigeria.

According to him, “This message is from our ancestors. That is what we want Edo people at home and in the diaspora to hear. “They (criminals) are aware that God almighty and our ancestors will not allow their evil work to prevail against Edo State. 

“The past Obas in Benin will not allow their wishes to prevail. They (criminals) have been causing confusion. It is time they give up on their activities”, Oba Ewuare added.

Addressing the groups, Chief Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, the Akenuwa of Benin, who reinforced the position of Oba Ewuare II, urged them not to let down their guard in their various traditional rites, noting that Benin palace, has since deepened spiritual consultation and coordination behind the scene in that regard.

“You all know what is happening. The Oba is trying to bring peace. All the bad things are what we want to wipe away. Use all what you have to send all the wicked ones away. So that we can have a good sleep”, he said. 

“We don’t want kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices in this state. We want peace. The Palace has done much behind closed doors. Use all that you have to chase away wicked ones. 

“After 10 days, you all will return to the Palace with all you have to place curse on whoever is involved and wherever they are. We want to see change.”

 The Ohen N’ Ogbeguma N’ Ayen, Princess Juliet Ehigiamusoe, said they would come out with all things in the river and on the land to do the order of the Oba.

Oba deploys Okaigheles

Barely two days after the meeting and in an effort that the needed personnel were ready to confront the criminals, Oba Ewuare II assembled all the youth leaders in the kingdom called Okaighele from all the communities in the seven local government areas of the Benin Kingdom.

He said the Edo people were not scared of battles and directed the youth leaders to form committees made up of five to 10 members to be known as Advisory Committees and evolve strategies that would complement the government efforts in combating emerging security challenges.

Oba Ewuare II clarified that the individuals concerned would report security matters directly to its Coordinator, Chief Emmanuel Iyase, Okao N’ Oreguae in charge of Ologbo and Ehor Dukedoms in Benin, periodically and thereafter brief the appropriate authority. 

He said the intervention does not however give them the right to either misbehave or oppress or sell communal land indiscriminately.

“We do not want you to fight yourselves or kill people. The purpose is to promote peace in our Communities.

“Edo people are not scared of battles. Our ancestors fought wars, liberated our people and conquered territories in the past with your youths. Those ganging up on Edo people are doomed. We do not curse, but communicate with our ancestors. Killings, kidnappings have no place here. 

“We advise herdsmen, armed robbers, and others to stop this evil. Edo State must be habitable for our children and people, including non-indigenes and investigators to dwell peacefully, according to the Oba who offered prayer to almighty God and his Royal ancestors for peace across Edo State and Nigeria.

Also speaking, Chief Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, the Akenuwa of Benin, explained tasked the youth leaders to “search for fearless men of integrity who have in-depth knowledge of their terrains as you embark on this assignment. We won’t cede any portion of Edo land. We want our people to be safe”.

The people are looking forward to July 2 when the spiritualists would invoke their curses and thereafter the take-off of the local vigilantes.

Expectations are high that this traditional strategy complementing the state government efforts would bring peace to the kingdom while other communities in Edo Central and Edo North are expected to emulate the steps being taken by Oba Ewuare II.

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