Worried by the continued forceful detention of the schoolchildren and their teachers abducted from Ahoro-Esinele in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, scores of female traditional worshippers from across Egbaland, on Friday, staged spiritual procession around major streets of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital in a bid to secure the release of the victims.
Clad in their traditional white worship atire with paraphernalia of worship, the half-naked traditionalists visited sacred sites of traditional worship in Abeokuta metropolis where they invoked spirits of the deities for a spiritual intervention in the efforts towards safe release of the victims within the next seven days.
The procession was led by Yeye Olokun Agbaye and Olori of Ilawo Kingdom, Her Royal Majesty, Omolara Fashola-MacGregor, who described the initiative as a sacred appeal and appeacements to the deities and revered ancestral spirits to ward off evils away from Yorubaland in general.
Among the sites visited were the shrines of the iconic Olumo Rock; that of the Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala; the shrines of Sodeke, the great Egba warrior, before the procession terminated at the Itoku shrines at Orita Aje Junction in the popular Itoku Market where prayers were offered alongside the traditional rites performed in accordance with longstanding cultural practices.
The traditionalists called upon the gods of the land, ancestral heroes and protective deities to intervene in the security challenges currently confronting Nigeria and particularly the plight of those currently in captivity.
Speaking with journalists during the spiritual procession, the Yeye Olokun Agbaye, HRM Fashola-MacGregor, said the exercise was about seeking divine mercy and protection for innocent children and their teachers, as well as others still in captivity nationwide.
“We are here to appeal to the deities of our forefathers and the spirits of our heroes to intervene in this troubling situation.
“Our prayers are focused on the safe return of those who have been abducted. We believe that when the people unite in faith and sincerity, divine intervention is possible,” she said.
She emphasised that insecurity has become a major concern across many communities and required collective efforts from government, security agencies, religious groups and traditional institutions.
The Yeye Olokun Agbaye, who took her time to list President Bola Tinubu, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and her own husband, the Olu of Ilawo Kingdom in Egbaland, Oba Alexander Olusegun MacGregorm among other traditional rulers in Yorubaland, while offering the appeacement prayers, emphasised that traditional institutions have a role to play in promoting peace, unity and communal wellbeing.
“Our ancestors protected these lands and stand for justice. We are invoking their blessings and protection at a time when many families are experiencing pain and uncertainty,” she added.
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