A clash between Oro worshippers and members of Truth and The Spirit Prophetic Church in Lagos state has resulted in the death of one person.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this in a Twitter post on Wednesday, August 24, adding that the clash occurred as the church members observed a vigil, Daily Post reports.
“It’s clearly a murder case. Suspects have been arrested. But henceforth, how do we ensure religious tolerance in similar cases?”, Hundeyin said.
It was learned that, as had been announced previously, the worshipers of Oro were out in a procession at night.
They marched up to the church, turned off their lights, and told everyone to face down.
A conflict broke out as a result of the congregation and church leadership rejecting their request.
Oro Festival is an annual traditional festival only celebrated by male descendants who are paternal natives to the specific locations where the event is taking place.
During the festival, females, and non-natives are mandated to stay indoors as oral history has it that Oro must not be seen by women and non-participating people.
The Yoruba god, Oro makes an audible announcement of its presence by whirring and roaring, which can be heard in the surrounding area. Oro walks with its followers while wearing a robe made of shells and a white wooden mask with blood on the lips.
