Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Priests, priestesses and traditional worshippers gathered in Benin City on Thursday in a dramatic spiritual offensive against the wave of kidnapping, armed robbery, and violent crime plaguing Edo State, invoking ancestral curses on criminals and performing sacred rites to fortify the land following a directive by the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
The ceremony, which drew traditional priests, priestesses, traditional physicians (Ewaise), palace functionaries, and residents, was held at the historic Kings Square and the main entrance of the Oba’s Palace in Benin City. Participants, dressed in ceremonial regalia and carrying traditional spiritual objects, poured libations, performed propitiatory rites, and invoked ancestral spirits to bear witness against those responsible for acts of violence and those collaborating with them.
The spiritual exercise followed a directive issued by Oba Ewuare II last week, in which he summoned traditional worshippers across the Benin Kingdom to revive ancient traditional methods of addressing the worsening security situation. The monarch had earlier fixed Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. for the traditional exercise to place curses on kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, and other violent criminals.
At the palace gate, the worshippers called on the ancestors and deities to curse kidnappers, killers, bandits and their collaborators, praying that they should not know peace until they abandoned their criminal activities or faced the consequences of their actions. The traditional priests declared that anyone involved in kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery, cultism or other violent crimes within the kingdom would face severe spiritual consequences unless they abandoned their criminal activities and made restitution.
One of the traditional priests, who declined to give his name, declared: “We are invoking the authority of our ancestors and the customs of Benin Kingdom to declare that anyone who kidnaps, sheds innocent blood, engages in ritual killings, cultism or any form of violent crime on this land will not know peace until they abandon their evil ways”. He added: “This land is sacred. We are asking for divine protection over our communities and declaring that Benin Kingdom must not become a refuge for kidnappers, murderers and other criminals”.
Speaking after the exercise, the head of the Ewaise Palace group, Chief Osemwonta Iguezigbon, said the spiritual assignment was ordered by the Oba in response to the disturbing rise in violent crimes, expressing confidence that the intervention would complement the efforts of security agencies. “What happened today was directed by the Oba of Benin, considering what is happening not only in Edo State but also in Nigeria. Our Oba thought it wise to put a stop to it,” he said.
The Chief Priest of the Ayelala deity, Chief Clement Edegbe, lamented the increasing cases of kidnapping and the erosion of societal values, saying many people had abandoned respect for elders and embraced criminality. “A lot of things have been going wrong in Benin. Some people are no longer respecting elders. There have been many cases of kidnapping and other crimes,” Edegbe said. He expressed optimism that the curses would serve as a strong deterrent to perpetrators and their sponsors.
The Oyeoba of Benin, Chief Isaac Oghafua Ogiemwense, described the exercise as a traditional effort to secure the land against criminality. “The essence of this spiritual assignment is to fortify the land against insecurity in a traditional way,” he said. Priestess Constance Eguavoen also commended Oba Ewuare II for reviving the kingdom’s ancient spiritual traditions in the fight against insecurity.
According to the Benin Palace, the traditional rites are not intended to replace conventional security measures but to complement ongoing efforts by government and security agencies to restore peace and safeguard lives and property in Edo State and across Nigeria. A senior Chief of the Benin traditional institution said: “Our responsibility is to preserve the peace, dignity and sanctity of the kingdom. Today’s rites are meant to reinforce our cultural values and complement the efforts of security agencies in combating crime”.
The intervention comes as insecurity continues to cast a shadow over many parts of Edo State, where kidnappings, cult-related killings and attacks on communities have heightened public anxiety. Farmlands, forests and major highways have increasingly become scenes of violent attacks, leaving many residents fearful of carrying out their daily activities.
Residents who witnessed the ceremony welcomed the development. One resident said: “We have lost too many lives to kidnapping and violent crimes. Every lawful effort that can help restore peace is welcome. Our greatest desire is to return to a time when people could travel, farm and sleep in their homes without fear”. Another resident added: “We don’t care whether the solution comes through the courts, the security agencies or our traditional institutions. What matters is that insecurity comes to an end and our communities become safe again”.
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