By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

Women traditional worshippers from across Egbaland embarked on a spiritual procession through major shrines and cultural landmarks in Abeokuta, Ogun State, offering ritual prayers for the safe return of victims abducted in Oyo State.

Dressed in white traditional attire and carrying sacred ritual objects, the women moved from one shrine to another, invoking ancestral spirits and revered deities to intervene in the plight of the abductees and restore peace and security across Yorubaland.

The spiritual exercise was led by the Yeye Olokun Agbaye and Olori of Orile-Ilawo Kingdom, Dr. Omolara Fashola-MacGregor, who described the gathering as a solemn appeal to the gods and ancestors to protect innocent citizens and secure the release of those held captive by kidnappers.

The worshippers visited several revered sites, including the shrines at Olumo Rock, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, and the shrine of the legendary Egba warrior, Sodeke, before concluding the exercise at the Itoku shrine located at Orita Aje Junction in Abeokuta.

At each location, special prayers and traditional rites were performed for the victims, their families, and the nation’s security agencies, with participants calling for divine intervention in the growing wave of kidnappings and insecurity.

Speaking with journalists during the procession, Fashola-MacGregor said the initiative was motivated by deep concern over the fate of schoolchildren, teachers, and other Nigerians currently in captivity.

“We are here to cry out to the deities of our forefathers and seek the guidance of our ancestors to help bring these victims home safely,” she said.

“Our prayers are focused on the safe return of those who have been abducted. We believe that when people unite in faith, sincerity, and purpose, divine intervention is possible.

We are asking for protection for our people and an end to the insecurity troubling our communities.”

The traditional worshippers expressed hope that their prayers would strengthen ongoing efforts to rescue the victims and restore peace across the region.