Ekiti State Government has rewarded a traditionalist for exposing a ritualist in the state, saying the act would help end ritual killings in the state.
Recall that a traditionalist, Adesua Ifafemi, had exposed a 23-year-old man, identified as Solomon to the Ekiti State Police Command for attempting to use his sister’s 6-year-old son for ritual purposes.
In a show of magnanimity for extolling the true Ekiti Omoluabi virtues, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, through the Bureau of Community Communications on Friday in Ado-Ekiti rewarded the traditionalist with a cash gift.
Director General, Bureau of Community Communications, Mary Omotosho explained that the governor was impressed by the kind act of the traditionalist to expose the ritualist adding that the state government is taking stringent measures to end the social vice.
While calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and residents of the state to take a stand against the menace, she praised the Nigerian Police for their efforts in combating crime.
Her words: “We are having a conversation with the Traditionalists and Herbalists through their associations to help us curb the activities of ritualists in Ekiti State. Mr Ifafemi’s bold step of not carrying out his client’s wish in using that child for rituals has passed a strong message to others.
“We want other traditionalists to see it as something that is very dignifying and that they are also helping to sanitize our society. The governor asked that we should appreciate and celebrate him. We want to thank him for showing truly that Ekiti people are Omoluabi with contentment .”
On his part, Director General, Homeland Intelligence Agency, Dr. Dotun Adetuberu commended Mr Ifafemi for taking the bold step while decrying the spate of the menace, especially in the South West region.
The DG, who went further to appeal to youths in the state to desist from making money through illegal means but embrace hardwork instead, reiterated the efforts of the state government in fishing out, arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“We have to commend you for this bold step. It shows your passion for this great state. It’s a good sign of patriotism. The level and rate of ritual killings in other neighbouring states, especially in south west is becoming so alarming.
“We have moved round to some palaces to appeal to our traditionalists to discourage ritual killings in Ekiti State. This is to encourage other traditionalists in Ekiti State that it is better we use this strategy to discourage ritual killings in the state.”
Responding to the governor’s kind gesture, the traditionalist, who doubles as the Araba of Ijelu seized the opportunity to appeal to other traditionalists and herbalists in the state not to encourage ritual killings by young people who are desperate to acquire wealth illegally.