Ondo strange disease, repercussions from the gods -Chief

The strange disease that has killed at least 20 people in Irele local government area of Ondo State is a punishment for the “sacrilege” committed against Molokun, the local deity in the area.

Cornelius Olanrewaju-Lebi, the next in command to the Oba, offered some explanations as to why the god went angry and visited the people with death.

He said some stubborn youths broke into the inner room of the Molokun shrine on April 15, and made away with traditional items in a bid to acquire extra-ordinary powers and engage in money ritual.

“Molokun is a deity of the land,” he said. “Only the Chief Priest and High Chief Gboguron are qualified to enter the shrine. They were not qualified to enter the (shrine),” he said.

“They had to face the death penalty.”

A source stated that, “Until the god is appeased, the deaths will continue. But the chief priest and traditionalists have consulted and asked women to appease the Molokun by pouring buckets of water in front of the shrine.

“We have to appease the gods or else many will still die and we have to bury them according to tradition. Their corpses belong to the gods and will be exhumed if buried by their families.”

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