Ajibade Gbedegesin Ogunoye, the ruler of Owo Kingdom in Ondo state, has cursed the murderers responsible for the cult-related conflict in the town.

On Thursday, Mr. Ogunoye met with some traditional priests in the historic city and invoked the spirit of the “god of iron” (Ogun). Two weeks ago, a violent altercation broke out in Owo, killing no less than four people, including a woman and her 10-year-old child. As a result of the invading cultists’ killing of Fisayo Oladipupo, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the violence escalated and appeared to be retaliatory. Mr. Ogunoye, along by the town’s traditional priests, cursed the people who were behind and supporting the town’s horrible murders.

He claims that the curses imposed on the cultists represent the town’s residents’ combined rage and determination. The town’s prestige has been damaged by the killings and violence, the king said, adding that traditional institutions are resolved to take firm measures against those responsible. He emphasized the need of harmony and peace while cautioning that the curses imposed on the murderers and those who support them will come to pass unless they stopped their acts. The traditional ruler’s move follows a day after Abdulkareem Adedokun, a well-known Islamic preacher, cursed the cult members for the deaths of his wife and kid.

During the bloody conflict that overtook the town, suspected cultists murdered Mr. Adedokun’s son, Abdulmalik Adedokun, and his wife, Temitope. He described how the renegade cult members ambushed and brutally killed his wife and son at her store in the center of town. Mr. Adedokun strongly denounced the murderers, claiming that none of his relatives were part of any criminal organization or fraternity. He stated, “The most agonizing aspect of it is how politicians began to play politics with my wife and son’s deaths when they all knew that no Adedokun family member had ever engaged in cultist activities previously.”

The preacher cursed the murderers, emphasizing that those who protected them from punishment would suffer God’s entire vengeance. I use my power to condemn the individual who killed Temitope and Abdulmalik Adedokun, as well as every member of their cult gangs, their followers, including traditional leaders and politicians, and those who shielded them from security personnel. “Every child born into their households from now on will pass away inexplicably when they reach the age of my little Abdulmalik, who was murdered. Until they are able to revive my little Abdulmalik, this curse will endure. In Owo, I have ended this curse,” he said.

The governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the town from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. as a result of the incident. Additionally, Mr. Aiyedatiwa denounced the altercation and instructed security forces to capture the offenders and bring them to justice. In the midst of the turmoil, authorities last week detained 19 people connected to the deadly cult conflict and said they will prosecute them following a profile.