Oba Of Benin Orders Traditionalists To Curse Kidnappers, Criminals

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has ordered traditionalists in his kingdom to gather for a curse ceremony against kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals in Edo State.

Punch reported that the monarch asked native doctors, water goddess priestesses, Osokpikan, Aiyelala and Olokun adherents to come to the palace with their instruments on July 10. Premium Times also reported the directive as a spiritual response to insecurity in Edo.

The order was given in Benin City during a meeting with native doctors at the palace, according to Punch.

Speaking through the Akenuwa of Benin, Chief Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, the monarch said the exercise was meant to support efforts to restore peace in the state.

Punch quoted the monarch as saying that people trying to destroy the kingdom would not succeed. The report linked the move to concern over kidnappings and other violent crimes.

The story is a security-related cultural response rather than a conventional police operation, so the draft keeps the framing narrow and attributes the claims to the palace reports.

Sources: Punch, Premium Times