Ondo: Monarch Raises Alarm Over Religious Extremism in Community

By Oluniyi Akintunde, Akure

The Ogeloyinbo and Spiritual Majesty of Holy Apostolic Church, Ayetoro Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Micah Olaseni Ajijo, has raised alarm over the growing case of religious extremism in the community.

Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government is the only community in Ondo state with a theocratic form of government.

The community with a single church “Holy Apostolic” is also under the sole authority of the monarch, Oba Ajijo, who was installed on the 17th of August 2015.

Oba Ajijo spoke with journalists on Tuesday, following an unending religious crisis that has rocked the seventy year old costal community since he became the king.

He alleged that one prophet Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi has been fanning violence and insurgency through different strange doctrines brought to the community.

The monarch accused Ojagbohunmi of leading some youngsters on a pretence of “prayer warriors” to destroy private and public properties in the community.

Oba Ajijo expressed surprised on why Ojagbohunmi would also declared himself as ‘Baba Alakoso and General Overseer’ of the Holy Apostles Church.

He disclosed that the position was alien to the customa, traditions and religion of the community since its inception in April 14, 1943.

The Monarch, however, said since Prophet Ojagbohunmi is also one of his subjects, he is ready to accommodate him with his followers despite their atrocities.

His words “I am ready to do this all for the sake of peace not minding all the atrocities that he and his followers have committed against me and the community.

“So, except government is resolved and ready to be decisive in curtailing the violent disposition of Mr. Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi and his prayer warrior group who operate under the guise of preaching religion, a dimension of Boko Haram may be unleashed on the Happy City of the Apostles and eventually the entire Ilaje land”.

Also speaking, a group known as Peace of Jerusalem berated Ojagbohunmi for running a parallel government and introducing ‘strange doctrines and traditions under the guise of religion.

Tola Alabere, the erstwhile Chairman of Ilaje Council Area, who spoke on behalf of the group said there is no longer peace among the people since the prophet stepped into the community.

Alabere said efforts by the community leaders, local government and the immediate past state government to ensure peace reign was dashed by fanatic attitude of the prophet.

“Since 2009 when Ojagbohunmi made an appearance in the community and began his prophetic escapades,
our people have been set against one another.

“Even, effort by the Olugbo in Council under the leadership of Oba Frederick Akinruntan, and the Police  to ensure peace had been futile leading to the closure of the Holy Apostolic Church”.

The ex-council boss showed support for the church’s closure, despite been the only place of worship in the local to forestall break down of law and order.

He further accused Ojagbohunmi and his group of youngsters of breaching several court orders aimed at restoring peace in the coaster community.

While noting that the riverine terrain of the community has made it difficult for the police to deal with the trouble makers, Alabere called for reinforcement of security operatives until peace finally returns.

He reiterated that the installation of Ambassador Olaseni Ajijo as the 6th Ogeloyinbo followed established processes including consultations and ratification by the Ogeloyinbo-in-Council including spiritual revelations.

He, however, promised to peacefully resist any attempts by Ojagbohunmi to ursurp the Ogeloyinbo throne through religious fanaticism.

Efforts to get Prophet Ojagbohunmi’s reaction proved abortive as he did not pick his calls or return the text message sent to his two mobile numbers.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Mr. Femi Joseph said the police has wadded in the matter with optimism of peaceful resolution in no distant time.