…How they ‘fortified’ kingdomBy Ozioruva Aliu
As early as 6:30 am, diviners, sorcerers, priests, princes, princesses and palace chiefs, among others, gathered in front of the palace of the Oba of Benin to perform the historic ritual of laying curses on kidnappers, cultists and other criminals terrorising the Benin Kingdom, other parts of the state and the country at large.
July 2 had been fixed for the exercise after a meeting between the Oba and the diviners, during which he directed them to invoke curses on the criminals.
This was followed by another meeting with youth leaders, known as Okaighele in Benin Kingdom, where he instructed them to form committees to secure their communities from marauders.
The atmosphere at the gate of the palace was charged, with several fetish items, including a live fowl, on display.
