Oba of Benin Summons Native Doctors, Priests Over Rising Kidnapping in Edo

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has summoned native doctors, traditional priests, and priestesses to an emergency meeting as part of renewed efforts to confront rising kidnapping and cult-related violence in Edo State.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Chief Victor Nosakhare on behalf of the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

According to the statement, the emergency meeting will hold at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The palace stressed that the gathering is being convened under the authority of Oba Ewuare II and must be given top priority by all invited stakeholders.

The Benin Traditional Council explained that the purpose of the meeting is to examine how traditional institutions, spiritual leaders, and indigenous practices can support ongoing government efforts to address insecurity in Edo State, where incidents of kidnapping, cult clashes, and other violent crimes have continued to raise concern among residents and authorities.

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The council noted that the increasing wave of insecurity has made it necessary to explore complementary approaches that combine both formal security measures and traditional systems of authority in order to strengthen peace and stability at the community level.

In a related development, the Benin Traditional Council will also hold a separate meeting with youth leaders, popularly known as Okaighele, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the same venue and time.

The back-to-back engagements highlight the Oba’s growing reliance on both spiritual custodians and youth leadership structures in addressing security challenges within the Benin Kingdom and surrounding communities.

The move reflects the increasing involvement of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s broader security architecture, particularly in regions where community-based structures play a significant role in intelligence gathering, conflict resolution, and local enforcement support.

Edo State has continued to experience incidents of kidnapping, highway abductions, and violent cult clashes in recent years, prompting calls for stronger coordination between government, security agencies, and community leaders.

Stakeholders believe that combining formal policing strategies with traditional authority systems may help improve surveillance, intelligence sharing, and conflict prevention at the community level.

The Oba of Benin’s intervention is widely viewed as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and reinforce cultural authority in addressing insecurity across the state.

Oba of Benin Summons Native Doctors, Priests Over Rising Kidnapping in Edo

Pastor Arrested for Taking 75 Married Women as Wives, Tears Church Apart

The arrest of a 57-year-old Anambra State pastor, Harrison Charles Anazodo, over allegations that he lured 75 married women—most of them members of his congregation—to become his wives has sent shockwaves through his church and community, sparking a fierce debate among followers and neighbours alike. The cleric, who leads the Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, was apprehended on June 12, 2026, by operatives of the state’s homeland security outfit, Agunechemba. His arrest, which followed a viral video of a woman detailing his alleged misconduct, has torn his church apart, with some defending him as a true man of God and others calling for his prosecution.

The allegations against Pastor Harrison are extensive and deeply troubling. His victims, who are mostly members of his church, have accused him of forcefully taking their wives for himself and, in some cases, compelling them to swap wives with other church members. The pastor also stands accused of marrying underage girls, using charms to deceive members, and engaging in child trafficking. A resident of the neighbourhood, who identified himself simply as Ekene, said that in that church, they don’t see anything wrong with polygamy because the pastor supports it and even quotes scripture to back it up. He added that when they go for evangelism, men wear female wares while women wear clothes meant for men. He also raised concerns about the church’s midnight vigils, explaining that every Sunday, they observe vigil that starts from 7pm and ends at 5am, but at exactly 12 midnight, all the lights go out and one wonders what transpires within that period. The pastor’s arrest followed a viral video from a lady who accused him of luring married women away from their husbands and converting them into his own wives. According to reports, the cleric’s atrocious activities had been ongoing for over 10 years.

Pastor Harrison Charles Anazodo

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The alleged “last straw” that led to his arrest, according to a source, was linked to the death of one of his members said to be wealthy. The deceased, who attended the church without members of his family, including his wife, had reportedly willed his entire property to the pastor. Shortly after the man’s demise, the pastor came and took possession of all the property of the wife, claiming that the man willed the property to him before he died. This reportedly led to a complaint from both the wife’s family and in-laws, culminating in the pastor’s arrest.

During the arrest, authorities discovered about 11 babies in the pastor’s home. Pastor Harrison claimed to be the father of these children, stating they were born by 11 of his wives. He also claimed that he does not know the total number of wives he has married or the total number of children he has. The discovery has raised additional concerns about potential child trafficking or exploitation, though authorities have not yet confirmed any such charges.

The arrest has deeply divided the congregation and the community. While many residents and former members are calling for the pastor’s prosecution and the closure of the church, others have defended him. One lady member of the church, who did not want to be quoted, described Pastor Charles as a true man of God, saying that those against him were jealous of his success. She asked that if he is doing all the things leveled against him, why has he not come to her, adding that he married that number of women because he has enough money to maintain them. However, critics argue that many of the so-called churches in the area are merely enterprises exploiting gullible residents. The pastor’s flamboyant dressing and big vehicles, contrasted with his members who “look hungry and haggard,” have sparked outrage.

The arrest is part of a broader state-wide crackdown by the Anambra State Government on fake pastors and religious leaders who exploit residents. The campaign, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, recently led to the arraignment of eight pastors before a High Court for alleged violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law, 2025, including staging fake miracles using hired actors. The state government has vowed to take the fight to the doorsteps of fake native doctors and pastors as part of efforts to rid the state of all forms of criminality in both traditional and religious worship. The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, has appealed to residents to provide credible information that would lead to the arrest of more fake pastors.

The pastor has been handed over to the police, and a joint investigation between the Anambra State Police Command and the state government has commenced. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Ken Emeakayi, has urged anyone with additional information or testimonies relating to the allegations to come forward and assist the ongoing investigation. The Media and Publicity Secretary of the state security outfit Agunechemba, Comrade Nweke Nweke, confirmed that the suspect was in their custody and that investigation was ongoing. He said that Pastor Harrison Charles was arrested based on allegations leveled against him by members of the public and that the matter is currently under investigation, promising to issue a press statement about their findings at the end of the investigation.

Pastor Arrested for Taking 75 Married Women as Wives, Tears Church Apart

She Said I Used Juju to Steal Her Fortune During Sex’ – Husband Seeks Divorce in Court

A 14-year marriage has collapsed before the Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, after a man, Jacob, accused his wife of starvation, false accusations of diabolical practices, and threats to his life. The shocking allegations have drawn attention to the dark side of marital breakdown, where financial hardship gave way to domestic hostility and claims of spiritual manipulation.

Jacob told the court that he married his wife, Mercy, in 2012 and paid N2,500 as her bride price. He described their early years as peaceful and happy, with a wonderful relationship that promised a bright future together. But everything changed, he said, when he suffered a financial setback. According to Jacob, the woman he once described as loving and caring became a source of distress. Instead of supporting him during his difficult times, Mercy allegedly became harsh and cruel. In his testimony before the court, he painted a painful picture of neglect, stating that on many occasions he went to bed hungry even though his wife had more than enough money to provide for their needs, yet she refused to offer him any form of assistance or support.

The most shocking revelation in Jacob’s testimony was his wife’s accusation against him. Mercy allegedly accused him of being diabolical, claiming that he used charms whenever they had sexual relations and that he was draining her fortune through these spiritual means. The accusation, which Jacob described as humiliating, struck at the very foundation of their relationship. In many parts of Nigeria, allegations of using juju or black magic to manipulate a spouse are taken seriously, often leading to social ostracism and irreparable marital breakdown. Jacob told the court that this accusation was part of a broader pattern of behaviour that made their home unbearable for him. The belief in sexual charms or “Oke Ite” is not uncommon in some Nigerian communities, where it is feared that a partner could use spiritual means to gain financial advantage, control, or cause harm. Cases of spouses making such accusations have been documented in various courts across the country, with some leading to the dissolution of marriage.

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Jacob further alleged that Mercy constantly harassed and threatened him, leaving him miserable and denying him peace of mind. He told the court that he eventually left the matrimonial home because he could no longer find joy in living with his wife, as their relationship had clearly deteriorated. But the ordeal did not end when he left. According to Jacob, Mercy has since denied him access to their home and their children. She also refused to answer his calls. He recounted a troubling incident where, during his last visit to see their children, she attacked him and damaged his mobile phone.

Jacob told the court that he is exhausted by his wife’s hostility and pleaded with the court to dissolve their marriage. He is praying for the dissolution of the marriage, custody of their children, and an order restraining his wife from threatening or harassing him. In her response to the allegations, Mercy consented to the divorce, indicating that she agrees to the dissolution of their 14-year union. Her consent suggests that she is ready to move on from the marriage, although she did not provide any counter-allegations or defence in the proceedings.

Following Jacob’s testimony, the court president, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, adjourned the case for further hearing. The court is expected to continue hearing arguments and evidence from both parties before making a final determination on the custody of the children and other pending matters.

This case is not the first of its kind in Nigeria. In 2024, the same Mapo Customary Court heard the case of one Moshood, who accused his wife, Fatimoh, of using juju to prevent him from getting a job and to control his movements. The court eventually dissolved their three-year marriage. In another notable case, a businesswoman, Bukola Ejalonibu, successfully petitioned a customary court in Ibadan for the dissolution of her 23-year marriage, alleging that her husband used charms on her during sex, causing her to faint and be hospitalised. These cases highlight a growing trend of spiritual allegations in marital disputes, often arising from financial difficulties, loss of trust, or unresolved conflicts. Legal experts have noted that such accusations can be deeply damaging, as they attack the core of a person’s character and integrity.

As the case continues, the court will consider the evidence presented, including Jacob’s allegations of neglect, starvation, and false accusations. The issue of custody of the children will also be a central matter, as both parents have indicated their desire to move on from the marriage. For Jacob, the journey from a happy marriage in 2012 to a bitter divorce in 2026 is a painful one. The court’s decision will determine not only the fate of their union but also the future of their children and the terms of their separation.

She Said I Used Juju to Steal Her Fortune During Sex’ – Husband Seeks Divorce in Court