Oyo Abduction: Yoruba women traditionalists invoked spiritual deities for release of schoolchildren within 7 days

As tension mounts over the continued stay of the abducted schoolchildren for second weeks, Yoruba women traditionalists have taken to invoking spiritual deities for the release of the embattled 39 children.

The children were abducted alongside their teachers from Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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The fresh abduction particularly in the Oyo, a State in the Southwest geopolitical zone underscores the fact that it was no longer the northern geopolitical zone that suffers horrendous cases of mass kidnapping, but the menace was now active in the Southwest zone.

Women across Egbaland who are traditionalists staged a procession across major streets and sacred sites in Abeokuta, Ogun State, seeking divine intervention for the safe release of the children.

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Cladded in white attire to depict the sacredness of the gods and ancestors, the women who were also kitted with the ritual paraphernalia, carried a procession through prominent cultural and spiritual landmarks in Abeokuta, invoking ancestral spirits and deities to intervene in the worsening security situation and facilitate the victims’ release within seven days.

A prominent sorcerer, Yeye Olokun Agbaye and Olori of Orile-Ilawo Kingdom, Dr. Omolara Fashola-MacGregor, said the ritual exercise was to appease ancestral spirits and deities to protect Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole.

They visited several shrines, including the Olumo Rock, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, and the shrine of the legendary Egba warrior, Sodeke, before concluding the procession at the Itoku shrine located at Orita Aje Junction in Abeokuta.

The female idol worshippers took out time at each location of shrine to offer prayers and carryout traditional rites in accordance with the agelong traditional practices.

In an interview with journalists after the exercise, Fashola-MacGregor explained that tje exercise aroused by deep concern for the safety of innocent schoolchildren, their teachers, and other Nigerians currently being held captive by kidnappers.

“We are here to appeal to the deities of our forefathers and the spirits of our heroes to intervene in this troubling situation,” she said.

“Our prayers are focused on the safe return of those who have been abducted. We believe that when people unite in faith, sincerity and purpose, divine intervention is possible.”

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