The Iworoko-Ekiti community said it had ordered the demolition of the strange shrine reportedly discovered recently on the boundary of the community with Are-Ekiti, saying the shrine might be dangerous to the community.
Speaking on Friday on behalf of the community, High Chief Abiodun Adekunle Ologunsaba said that demolish of the shrine had been ordered, but not yet executed due to the failure of the acclaimed owner to appear before the traditional council. The Chief further stated that the council was not aware of the roof of the shrine reportedly removed.
Recall a few weeks ago, Babatunde Bamigboye (Omo Edema) reported that some herbalists raised alarm over a strange shrine they discovered in the bush on the boundaries of Iworo and Are Ekiti. Consequently, a man who identified himself as Ifagbolabo Adeyanju and an herbalist, in an interview with the presenter, came out claiming ownership of the strange shrine and saying he chose the bush for convenience of his herbal activities.
Mercy-Babs news visit to the shrine on Friday revealed that iron sheets on the roof of the building had been removed while heavy sculptures and other spots contained inside remained untouched.
Speaking with the presenter on the stand of the town where Ekiti State University (EKSU) is located on the issue, the Edemo Idogun of Iworoko-Ekiti, High Chief Johnson Kayode Bolofindo said he was a member of the panel sent on enquiry to the bush.
According to him, “When we got there, it was very hard to believe that such a mysterious place was existing on our land to the awareness of no member of the traditional council.
“We took photographs of the fearful shrine. Some people met us there challenging us that what did we see there, but we told them that they were not the one that sent us. We would have to report back to the palace”, Chief Edemo Idogun said.
The Chief, contrary to the claim by the acclaimed owner of the strange building, Ifagbolabo Adeyanju that there were houses around the place, confirmed the building was there without a single house around it or any form of dwelling place close to it.
“Trekking from Iworoko to the spot would be a journey of over one hour and it is a thick bush all around. There is no a single house around the shrine. I have my own farm along the same road. So I know what I am talking about here. I saw it myself”, the Chief confirmed.
The Olulodo, Odo of Iworoko-Ekiti, High Chief Abiodun Adekunle Ologunsaba said the Regent, and chiefs met over the report brought by the elders that were sent to the bush and resolved that the strange place might be a threat and dangerous to the peace of the people of the community.
He said “We had meeting with the Odofin of Ijafin who is in charge of the land where the shrine is located. The Regent, other chiefs and concerned people were in attendance after which it was resolved that the building be demolished. The decision we believed was reasonable due to suspected harmful or diabolic activities most especially this time that ritual kidnapping and other forms of evil are rampant.
“We consulted security agents, we went to the police station and they promised that they would give us policemen to go with us on the day set to destroy the building. So we invited the acclaimed owner too, but he refused to show up.
“Consequent up his refusal, we postponed the exercise and rescheduled it for the weekend probably he would have appeared before us within that time frame. But we are surprised to hear now that the roof had been removed.
“We had demolition of the shrine in plan definitely. We will find out who removed the roof without informing the Palace”, Chief Ologunsaba said.
High Chief Kasali Adeleye the Odofin of Ijafin who claimed to be in charge of the area where the shrine is located, said he had never heard of the existence of the building until it was reported.
“I was never aware of such a place in the area. I am 75years old, all my life has been spent in this town. Ijafin where this shrine is located is a land under my control.
“When we heard of the report by Omo Edema, I personally sent for the owner and asked him to vacate the bush immediately because what we saw there was strange to what we used to know, but he never complied”, Chief Odofin said.
The traditional council said it would investigate who was responsible for the removal of the roof without its awareness because the building is under its monitoring.