Residents of Oyo State have resorted to spiritual intervention following what many describe as a complete failure by law enforcement, the military, lawmakers, and President Bola Tinubu to protect citizens from escalating terrorist attacks.
In the latest wave of abductions, armed bandits invaded schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping teachers and students.
The crisis reached a grim milestone with the beheading of a school principal.
With no sign of rescue from authorities, a traditional priest identified as the Onisa of Esin Ele, Muraina Mutairo, performed a public ritual on Tuesday, May 19, invoking deities to hunt down the kidnappers and protect the abducted children.
A video of the ceremony, first shared by The Cable, circulated widely on social media, drawing sharp reactions from Nigerians.
Agidi Ngwa 1 @d9ice6 said: “If it were another tribe in power, the entire Yoruba tribe would have been on the streets protesting and shaming the government. It’s a big shame that lives are sacrificed on the altar of political and tribal sentiments.”
Mike Ojukwu Iroh @Mikesway02, said: “These people sef, so wey the deities Dey when dem come kidnap the people. Religion is the bane of Africa’s development, and acts such as this are the reason politicians are capitalising on it to do rubbish.”
Bamidele Sunday @bamidel83822434 also has something to say, “ He no dey work for such, but if na to collect person wife na sharp sharp he go work.”
Anthony Alfred @AnthonyAlfredAA said: “While you invoke your deities to hunt kidnappers, make sure you’re not a supporter of the kidnappers’ political party. Otherwise, the hunting will begin with you. You can’t hate a sour grape and still be watering the tree that produces it.”
Emmanuel@EmmaJOkoronkwo stated: “This government has really failed its citizens. Imagine citizens now consulting ordinary deities, just trees and strange objects resembling reptiles, for the protection of abducted children and teachers. This can only happen in Nigeria. Yet, they keep borrowing millions for nonsense.”
No One SMAN @ArimSman opined: “Invoking deities to go after kidnappers while you support the criminal and irresponsible political establishment of Tinubu. The deities should start from you if they function.”
YoungRitchie @YoungRitchie10, said: “Na so one talk say Portable go win Carter Efe. Wake up and hold your leaders accountable, we are not in the 60’s anymore.”
Frank @zuupzeep said: “My biggest concern is who/how these people voted in 2023, and who/how they will vote in 2027? Will it still be about tribe and religion? That goes a long way to determine how many more of this kind of “prayer sessions” they will need to have in the future.”
Friday Solomon Isumaghe @isumaghe, noted: “Send your young, brave men to comb the forest and rescue the people from the evil kidnappers and stop this fetish thing you guys are doing. Our security system has collapsed; nobody is safe in this country, except the politicians.”
KANUTE01 @SALEMLEAD, said: “If all of you have any gods that can fight, make Una better bring am out… what we experience in the north if Una see am na Die una go Die all because of fear.”
@OGE @OfagbeGodwin, also observed: “After all these, when the election comes, they would stand behind their tormentors “on your mandate, we shall stand.” We really never get a sense of this country.”
Zuzu_ll @amaogueri, mentioned: “OMG! These are the issues: ignorance and illiteracy. Instead of protesting to the govt you voted in, who campaigned to provide security, you’re here clowning. You think the bandits are ordinary? Don’t they have deities that support their evil act? Just keep clowning.”
KING D @udo20458565, said: “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said it before that this country will be worse than Somalia, you people attacked him, now you are turning to deities. Let’s keep watching how fast they move.”
Adekunle Johnson @dekunlejohnson, chirps in: “Let’s divide. We are not one, I swear. The ideology, training, beliefs, traditions, languages, ethnicity, religion and goals are not the same. Let’s divide to save lives.”
ID Noble @IdowuAkande3 said, “In 2026, when we are supposed to have developed our drones to monitor the kidnappers, we are conjuring spirits.”
@tundeokeagi, aid: “The last time I saw this level of idiocy was when Dele Giwa died. We can do better, hold the feet of those in government to the fire, challenge them to do something. This is very sad to watch when an innocent man has just been beheaded.”
Puncc @JuicypunkjayJay, said: “Juju wey no work when white men arrive on our shore for slavery, na bandit e wan hunt. Who does this thing — religion is a scam.”
Israel Omole @IsraelOmole1 said, “Very soon, the same Fulani terrorists will come to visit the deities’ associates, and their priest will kidnap them, and nothing will happen. Jokers.”
Joseph O.E @elilomega said, “This is the price you pay when you elect an incompetent person because he’s from your tribe. I hope those gods are not also corrupt.”
Jojo the Piper @josephudo2 said, “We are not a serious people, honestly. Bandits will mow all of you down if they catch you there.”
Ray of Sunshine@idiaray2, said: “Now you’re talking…. since religion and government have failed to help the people, let the people use what they must to help themselves.”
BlogAce @Blog_Aces, said: “Better go and hold your leaders responsible and leave the innocent deities alone.”
No One SMAN @ArimSman, said: “You should invoke the same deities against the criminal and irresponsible political establishment of Tinubu and co.”
Amii @Amibeke said: “I hope it works since the government has failed us.”
Thecountrynosmile @oluwamassiveAde, weighing in on the matter, said: “All this one da before naa — una wait make them behead person first before una consult am. Ori gbogboyi yii..”
