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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Oba of Benin summons traditional healers over worsening insecurity

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Oba of Benin has summoned traditional healers and priests to an urgent meeting to address worsening insecurity in Edo State and Nigeria.
  • The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, aims to explore traditional methods to complement government efforts in tackling rising kidnapping and cult-related violence.
  • Youth leaders will also meet with the Oba on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, signaling the palace's active involvement in supporting security agencies.

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, is taking a proactive stance on Nigeria's escalating security challenges by convening a crucial meeting with traditional healers, priests, and priestesses. The urgent gathering, set for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Oba's palace, aims to harness traditional and spiritual means to bolster existing government initiatives against insecurity in Edo State and across the nation.

Having taken due cognizance 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.

— Benin Traditional Council StatementThis statement outlines the Oba's rationale for convening the meeting with traditional healers and priests.

This move underscores the deep-seated reliance on traditional institutions in addressing societal issues within Nigeria. The Benin Traditional Council, acting under the Oba's directive, emphasized the need to explore all avenues, including spiritual and traditional practices, to restore peace and order. The meeting is to be treated with utmost urgency, highlighting the severity of the current security situation.

Consequently, the Benin Traditional Council, acting under the authority and directive of His Royal Majesty, hereby invites all Igiohen N’ Ikpia and Igiohen N’ Ikhuo, traditional doctors in the Benin Kingdom, to an emergency meeting.

— Benin Traditional Council StatementThis quote formally announces the invitation to traditional doctors for the emergency meeting.

Following the healers' meeting, youth leaders, known as Okaighele, are also slated to meet with the Oba on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. This dual approach signals a comprehensive strategy involving both spiritual and community leadership in the fight against rising crime. The palace's direct involvement reflects a growing concern over kidnapping and cult-related violence, prompting traditional authorities to actively support the efforts of state security agencies.

The meeting, convened under the authority and directive of Oba Ewuare II, must be treated with utmost urgency.

— Benin Traditional Council StatementThis emphasizes the critical nature and immediate importance of the scheduled meeting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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