The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has openly challenged traditional spiritual practitioners over the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Monarch Questions Selective Use of Spiritual Powers
In a video shared on Wednesday, June 17, by Oyo Matters on X, the monarch questioned the claimed spiritual powers of babalawo, araba, and alfas. He argued that such abilities should be used to rescue the abducted pupils. He accused some practitioners of only displaying their powers for harmful purposes rather than for the public good.
Speaking in Yoruba, he said: All the Babalawo, Araba, and Alfas that always boast of all kinds of charms, the time is now to use your powers to rescue the abducted children of Oriire LGA.
He stated that lack of resources should not be an excuse, as he is willing to support them financially if needed. Even if you don’t have money, I will give you, he added.
The monarch also questioned what he termed the selective use of spiritual abilities. Or is it only charms to do wicked things to people that you have?
War Is Here, Oluwo Declares
Describing the situation as urgent, the monarch said the crisis had escalated beyond silence or inaction. Why is it charms threatening we Yorubas? War is here, the kidnapped kids are still in the bush.
He challenged spiritualists to demonstrate their powers by confronting the abductors directly. No diviner or spiritualist can assemble themselves and march to Oriire Local Government, use disappearing act to go there, command and seize the bandits' ammunition. If you can't do this, it means you do not love the children of Oduduwa.
Ogun Traditionalists Stage Ritual Over Abducted Pupils
In a related development, traditional worshippers in Abeokuta, Ogun State, staged a spiritual procession seeking the release of over 40 abducted pupils and teachers from schools attacked in Oriire. The worshippers, led by Omolara Fashola-MacGregor, visited sacred sites including Olumo Rock and ancestral shrines, where they performed rites and prayers for divine intervention and safe return of the victims.
They said the exercise was a spiritual response to rising insecurity and vowed to continue rituals across Ogun and Oyo States until the abducted schoolchildren and teachers are safely rescued.
Makinde Confirms Soldier Killed in Rescue Operation
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the death of a Nigerian Army lieutenant during ongoing operations to rescue abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. Makinde disclosed this while addressing protesters in Ibadan. He noted that security agencies are conducting a sensitive rescue mission to avoid further casualties while working to free the victims.
He assured residents that the Oriire abduction would not become another Chibok case, since authorities are intensifying efforts despite risks and losses recorded during the operation.
