Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
19-year-old suspected cultist, Ayo Afolorunsho, has asked his parents and family members to forgive him for bringing their names into disrepute. The suspect, who urged youths to shun crime, was arrested at the weekend by a team of policemen from Oworoshoki Police Division, led by a Superintendent of Police (SP), Nkereuwem Joshua.
A police source said:
“The suspect was picked up at Oworoshoki area of the Third Mainland Bridge, as his group was planning a deadly attack on rival Eiye cult group. “The suspect confessed that they went to Oworonsoki, after leaving a meeting at Obalende. He said that they were supposed to have another meeting at Oworoshoki, when police appeared and arrested them all.” The cultists, on sighting the police team, took to their heels. However, Afiolorunsho was arrested, in possession of a sword, which he said was for self-defence.
The suspect, who is a ‘vulcanizer,’ said he was initiated into the Aiye cult group in Ikorodu area of the state by other members of the cult who kept threatening him for refusing to become their member.
He said:
“There is nothing to gain from cultism. I regret being a member of Aiye. Those that forced me to join cultism made so many promises to me, but all were lies. “Since the police arrested me, not one member of the group under any guise has visited me. I am left to my fate.
My parents are ashamed of me. I plead with youths to shun cultism. If I should regain my freedom, I would relocate to my village immediately and practice my trade. I have ruined my future with the group that I joined. I’m finished. My future is gone! I don’t know if I will ever leave the police custody.”
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