Oba of Benin Mobilizes Spiritual Leaders to Curse Criminals

The Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has initiated a spiritual mobilization against criminals terrorizing the region. By Wednesday, July 2, diviners, priests, priestesses, and custodians of various shrines within the Benin Kingdom are expected to invoke an "irreversible curse" upon kidnappers, bandits, and all individuals involved in violent crimes affecting the seven local government areas that constitute the Benin Kingdom.

This directive follows a meeting last Tuesday where the Oba convened with various spiritual leaders. He granted them a ten-day period to consult their powers before openly calling down destructive curses on the perpetrators. This move comes amid persistent criminal activities, including kidnappings and cultism, despite government efforts to enhance security.

A similar invocation occurred in May 2018 when Oba Ewuare II placed a curse on those involved in human trafficking and their collaborators, including native doctors and priests who administered oaths of secrecy to victims. At that time, the Oba urged native doctors to cease their involvement and cooperate with the palace to foster development, while also nullifying existing oaths to encourage victims to speak out.

The recent decision to resort to spiritual warfare is believed by some analysts to have been accelerated by a high-profile kidnapping incident three weeks prior. In that event, assailants stormed a market near the Palace of the Oba of Benin, kidnapping a woman who was later released after a ransom was paid. The assailants were subsequently apprehended.

In response to the ongoing security challenges, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), under the Oba's orders, issued a summons on June 19 for an emergency meeting with traditional doctors. The statement, signed by Chief Asiriuwa Victor Nosakhare on behalf of the BTC Secretary, acknowledged the prevailing security situation and the Oba's decision to explore traditional and strategic means to complement government initiatives for restoring peace and order.