The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, has placed a spiritual curse on kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements operating within the Benin Kingdom and across Edo State, as part of efforts to combat rising insecurity.
The monarch, formally known as Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, made the declaration through the priests and priestesses of shrines across the kingdom, the Ewaise (traditional physicians), the Iwebo society and the Ayelala deity.
Oba Ewuare II said it was time to return to the ancient traditional methods of addressing security challenges, stressing that the spiritual exercise was meant to complement the efforts of the Edo State Government in tackling insecurity.
The ritual, held in the early hours of Wednesday, commenced with a procession from the Oba’s Palace in Benin City. Participants, dressed in traditional Ododo attire, marched to the palace entrance where libations were poured on ritual items brought for the exercise.
During the ceremony, the ancestors and ancestral spirits were invoked to bear witness against individuals seeking to destabilise the peace of Edo State. Curses were pronounced on kidnappers, armed robbers, sponsors of violence, perpetrators of bloodshed and others involved in criminal activities, as well as those plotting against the Benin Kingdom.
The rites also included prayers for the protection of the kingdom, the fortification of the land against invasion by bandits and other criminal elements, and blessings for individuals working towards the progress and development of the kingdom.
Speaking after the exercise, the Head of the Ewaise Palace Group, Chief Osemwonta Iguezigbon, and the Chief Priest of the Ayelala deity, Clement Edegbe, expressed confidence that the spiritual action would help curb violent crimes and expose those aiding criminal activities.
According to Chief Edegbe, “A lot of things have been going wrong in Benin. Some people are no longer respecting their elders. There have been a lot of kidnappings and other crimes.”
He expressed hope that the traditional intervention would restore peace, order and security across the Benin Kingdom and Edo State.
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