The Osun State Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged desecration of the UNESCO World Heritage Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove by a group of Christian clerics.
The probe follows a formal petition submitted by the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association in Osun State (TRAWSO), which accuses the clerics of invading the grove and performing “offensive” religious rites at a sacred shrine. DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Command’s spokesperson, confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, that the matter is being treated with “due diligence” to ensure a lawful resolution.
The Incident: “Prophetic Cleansing” vs. Desecration
The controversy centers on a viral video from late March showing a group of white-garment prophets, reportedly led by one Odedoyin Ezekiel, entering the grove.
- The Clerics’ Actions: In the footage, the clerics are seen touching a shrine, making “biblical declarations,” and purportedly attempting to “cast out” the spirit of the river goddess. One cleric is heard declaring the supremacy of his faith while describing the traditional deity as “powerless.”
- The Confrontation: Tensions escalated when traditionalists arrived to confront the group. A physical clash was narrowly avoided after a senior traditionalist intervened, allowing the clerics to exit the grove.
- Retaliation Allegations: A subsequent video has surfaced showing individuals—alleged to be traditionalists—entering a church linked to the incident. The footage depicts the sacrifice of a dog on the church floor as a ritualistic “response” to the shrine’s invasion. TRAWSO has declined to comment on this retaliatory act, focusing its legal complaint solely on the initial grove incident.
Government and CAN Intervention
To prevent a full-scale religious crisis, the Osun State Government convened an emergency meeting involving:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (led by Commissioner Rasheed Aderibigbe).
- The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
- TRAWSO Leadership (led by Dr. Oluseyi Atanda).
During the meeting, CAN leadership reportedly promised to review the conduct of the church involved and respond to the traditionalists’ grievances. The state government has vowed to strengthen security at the grove—a site that remains a “natural herbal pharmacy” and a symbol of Yoruba identity for the global Diaspora—to prevent future unauthorized religious demonstrations.
Broader Context: Osun 2026 Election Tension
The timing of this religious friction is particularly sensitive as the state prepares for the August 8, 2026, Governorship Election.
TRAWSO has already petitioned INEC to shift the election date, noting that the current schedule falls just 24 hours after the grand finale of the Osun-Osogbo Festival (August 7). Traditionalists fear that the influx of over a million tourists and devotees, combined with the heightened political climate, could create a “perfect storm” for security breaches if religious or political actors exploit the crowds.
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