Football Pools One Banker Draw Prediction

              Kidnapping: Benin traditionalists invoke curses on culprit

Traditional priests in Benin, Edo State on Thursday led worshippers from the seven local government areas of Edo South Senatorial District, in a public show of dissafection over the spate of robberies and kidnappings recorded in the state.

The traditionalists, who were led by the Iyase (prime minister) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, and the Chief Priest, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, were acting on the instruction of the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediuawa.

Speaking at Urhopota Ground, Kings Square, Igbe said the monarch was not unmindful of the activities of those he described as enemies of the people, saying the end had come for them and their evil activities.

He said, "The police are not superhuman. People say they have failed, but they are human beings who need the support of other Nigerians in the discharge of their duties.

"We just hope that the people who perpetrate criminal activities will have a change of heart; otherwise it will be to their own peril.

"They live among us and they keep the proceeds of the evil trade in the neighbourhood; so, you won't say you don't know them."

Igbe said that with the latest development, the wrath of the people would soon catch up with the culprits and their collaborators.

The Palace of the Oba of Benin had on Tuesday directed traditional chiefs and worshippers in the area to assemble on Thursday (yesterday) and Saturday (tomorrow) to invoke curses on persons responsible for the rising crime wave in the state.