Oba of Benin Summons Traditional Rulers, Native Doctors and Priestesses to Emergency Meeting Over Escalating Insecurity

Oba of Benin Summons Traditional Rulers, Native Doctors and Priestesses to Emergency Meeting Over Escalating Insecurity

Habiba Sam

Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has summoned traditional rulers, native doctors, priests, priestesses and other custodians of Benin customs to an emergency meeting to address the rising cases of insecurity in Edo State and across Nigeria.

According to a statement issued by Chief Victor Nosakhare on behalf of the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, the directive came under the full authority of the monarch who expressed deep concern over the spate of kidnappings, cult clashes and violent crimes threatening peace in the kingdom and beyond.

The palace announced that the crucial meeting will hold at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Ogha Ozolua axis of the Oba’s Palace in Benin City. The statement stressed that the meeting should be treated with utmost urgency and attendance is mandatory for all invited traditional and spiritual leaders.

“The Oba of Benin is deeply worried about the worsening security situation affecting our people daily. This meeting is convened to explore traditional wisdom, spiritual interventions and indigenous security approaches that can complement government efforts in restoring peace,” the statement read.

The Benin Traditional Council noted that the gathering will focus on how traditional institutions can play a more active role in intelligence gathering, community vigilance and conflict resolution at the grassroots. The Oba is expected to charge the traditional rulers and spiritual leaders on their responsibility to protect lives and property within their domains.

In a related development, the palace also extended invitations to youth leaders, popularly known as Okaighele, for a separate strategic meeting. That session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the same venue and time. The Okaighele are regarded as key custodians of order at community level, and the Oba is expected to task them on working with security agencies to curb cultism and youth restrictiveness.

The dual meetings underscore Oba Ewuare II’s continued engagement with critical stakeholders as insecurity persists. The palace reiterated that traditional institutions remain central to maintaining peace and moral order in Benin Kingdom, and that their collaboration with government and security agencies is now more important than ever.

Observers say the Oba’s intervention reflects growing frustration with the limits of conventional policing alone, and a renewed push to integrate cultural and spiritual mechanisms into the fight against crime in Edo State.