News
Security operatives seal Benin church, bar worshippers
By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin
Security operatives have sealed the worship centre of traditional worshippers, the Holy Arousa Cathedral, on Akpakpava Road, Off Ring Road, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
They said the move was taken to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
The security agencies also barred the worshippers from entering the premises.
Our reporter, who was at the cathedral on Sunday to confirm if the usual service would hold, observed that it was under lock and key.
Supporters of the suspended presiding priest (the Ohenosa) of the cathedral, Harrison Okao, have begged the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to facilitate the reopening of the worship centre in the interest of peace.
Okao and the Acting Ohenosa, Chuef Esere, who is also the Head of Iweguae, declined to comment on the development when contacted on phone.
Read Also: Oba of Benin sacks Chief Priest of Holy Arousa Cathedral
A high chief at the palace of Oba of Benin, who spoke in confidence, explained that the monsrch would not respond to reporters’ enquiries and clarifications, in line with Benin tradition and custom.
The mobile phone of the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor, who signed the statement, was unobtainable.
Efforts to meet and speak with him on Monday were unsuccessful.
The mobile number of BTC’s secretary could not be reached.
At the sealed cathedral on Monday, our reporter spoke with the Deputy Chief Usher, Sunny Ekhaguere, who confirmed that the worshippers were at the place for last Sunday’s worship but were prevented from entering the place.
“We do not know why our presiding priest was suspended indefinitely. We are not aware of the allegation of unauthorised ministration levelled against him in the statement by the palace of the Oba of Benin.
“The suspended hardworking priest has served the 80-year-old Holy Arousa Cathedral, Benin City, very well in the last 20 years.
“The Oba of Benin might have asked the new Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Phillip Ogbadu, to tighten security at Holy Aruosa Cathedral, to prevent escalation of the crisis and to give peace a chance.
“Police officers and men as well as other security personnel are patrolling the area to prevent the breakdown of law and order. The security operatives are not allowing worshippers, friends of the cathedral and other persons to access the premises of Holy Arousa Cathedral, much less allow them to enter the worship centre.”
