By Egbe Attah, Otukpo
The Och’otukpo Odu, (District Head of Otukpo) in Otukpo Local Government of Benue State, His Royal Highness, Dr John Eimonye has placed a curse on all cultists and their sponsors in Otukpo land.
The royal father took the action Tuesday while interacting with youths of the area, during his tour of the district, in company of clan heads and ward heads of Otukpo kingdom.
The royal father and custodian of the Otukpo traditional stool asked the spirits of the land to fight anyone who has a hand in cult related activities.
The Och’Otukpo who was visibly angry, at the evil activities of cultists in his kingdom pronounced that, any Otukpo son or daughter who engages in secret cult activities and spill blood of other fellow beings would die in 14 days, except such an individual confesses and renounce cultism.
The Odu who took off his royal shoes and wore the over 200 years old Odu crown placed the curse in tears.
He added that, anyone who has ever drank Otukpo water and spills blood on Otukpo soil or indulges in cultism and cult related activities should not know peace in his life, while appealing to the gods to deal decisively with such a person who takes pleasure in killing, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.
The Och’Otukpo Odu, therefore, advised Otukpo youths to shun cultism and all forms of social vices, in order to escape the wrath of the gods.
The royal father lamented the decay in the social fabric of the Otukpo people, which he said has led to a near collapse of the traditional institution and the introduction of alien cultures into the society.
Speaking separately, at the Igbanonmaje venue of the proclamation, Chief Akatu Ahubi, the Ward Head of Ewulo, Major Enokela Ukwenya (Rtd), Onyilokwu Okoh, John Adakole and Paul Sunday, said the local government has been pampering the cult groups without taking any decisive actions to serve as deterrent to others.
They were unanimous in their condemnation of cult activities and pointed out that cultists can be flushed out, if the security agencies, the community and government work in synergy.
At Otukpoicho, those who spoke included the Ward Head of Okete, Chief Inalegwu Abounu, Agbo Ella, Okla Egwu, Isaac Adama and a host of others who all commended the Och’otukpo Odu for his pro-active measures in curbing the rising tide of cult related activities in Otukpo.
