Oba of Benin Calls on Ancestors to Curse Kidnappers, Armed Robbers in Edo State

Oba of Benin Calls on Ancestors to Curse Kidnappers, Armed Robbers in Edo State.

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, has directed traditional worshippers across Edo South Senatorial District to engage in a spiritual exercise against criminals operating in the state.

The monarch gave the directive during a meeting with native doctors, priests, priestesses, and other traditional leaders at his palace in Benin City. The gathering focused on the worsening security situation in the state, especially the increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and cult-related violence.

The traditional exercise is scheduled to hold on July 2, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. at the Oba’s Palace. The event will involve prayers, invocations, and traditional rites believed to call on ancestral forces to confront those behind violent crimes.

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Speaking through Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, the Akenuwa of Benin, the monarch expressed deep concern over the security challenges facing the kingdom.

“Today is a great day. I welcome you with the power of our ancestors. Many things that are not supposed to be happening are happening in this state. We have to pray. Those who want to destroy the kingdom will not succeed,” he said.

The Oba of Benin said the traditional institution must complement efforts by the Edo State government and security agencies to maintain peace and order. He noted that the criminals should know that God Almighty and the ancestors will not allow evil to prevail in Edo land.

“You all know what is happening. The Oba is trying to bring peace. All the bad things are what we want to wipe away. Use all that you have to send all the wicked ones away so that we can sleep with our eyes closed,” the monarch said.

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He instructed traditional worshippers to begin a week-long spiritual exercise to intercede for the land before returning to the palace on the fixed date.

Chief Isaac Oghafua Ogiemwense, the Oyeoba of Benin and a member of the Iwebo Society, explained the purpose of the spiritual assignment.

“The essence of what we are doing is to fortify this land. As you are aware, throughout the country and Benin in particular, there are so many problems: assassinations, kidnappings, cultism, people are killing people anyhow, people are coming from neighbouring states into Benin, killing our children and our people cannot go to farm anymore,” he said.

Chief Osemwonta Iguezigbon, head of the Ewaise Palace group, said the Oba wanted to put a stop to criminal activities in the kingdom.

“Benin is known as a peaceful kingdom, and our Oba does not want such negative things to be happening. All that he is interested in is that peace, for which the kingdom is known, is sustained,” he told reporters.

The Oba of Benin holds a special place in the kingdom’s tradition. People in ancient Benin recognised the Oba as semi-divine, believed to have descended from the son of Osanobua, the father of the gods. This gave the monarch power in both the physical and spiritual worlds.

This is not the first time the palace has taken such action. According to Roy Oribhabor, convener of the Concerned Edo Citizens Forum, a similar exercise against human traffickers produced results in the past.

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“It is a welcome development because it is the spiritual that controls the physical. Once we are able to take care of the spiritual, there is nothing anybody can do in the physical realm,” he said.

The traditional exercise is expected to continue over the coming days, with the final phase taking place at the palace on July 2. Traditional worshippers will gather with their instruments to pronounce curses on kidnappers, bandits, cultists, and their collaborators.

The Oba of Benin said past Obas would not permit the wishes of criminals to stand and stressed that it was time for those engaged in evil activities to abandon their ways.