From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Worried by the resurgence of cult-related killings in Asaba, Delta State capital, natives of the town, yesterday, began a spiritual cleansing exercise.
The exercise, Daily Sun learnt, which would last for seven days, started with a procession led simultaneously by the chief priests of the five quarters of Asaba at the respective domains.
It was gathered that the Chief Priests leading the Village Heads (Diokpa) in every quarter, embarked on the procession in the wee hours of yesterday in red attires.
Daily Sun further learnt that the procession ended at the Ihu-Ani (community shrine) of every quarter, where other traditional rites, including oath taking were also performed.
The spiritual exercise, according to community sources, was directed by the Asagba of Asaba as a measure to end the worsening cult-related clashes leading to the gruesome killing of over six persons in the past two weeks.
A native of the Umuagu village of Asaba, Jude Ojiugo, confirmed that the early morning procession had the blessing of the Asagba.
“The Diokpas (heads) of each quarter were directed to embark on a procession, an indication that all is not well in the community, and to call on indigenes to denounce cultism.
“All the members of the cult are supposed to take oath in Ihu-ani (front of the shrine) to denounce their membership. Each quarter performed their own in their respective Ihu-ani shrine.