Traditionalists Condemn Alleged Desecration Of Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove By Religious Fanatics, Warn Of Potential Civil Unrest

Traditionalists condemn a white garment ministry for "desecrating" the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. Read the statement from Babalawo Ogundeji Elebuibon.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 10:37 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Champion News

Outcry Over Spiritual Interference At UNESCO Heritage Site

The sanctity of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage site, has become the center of a brewing religious controversy. Traditionalists in Osogbo are calling for immediate action following what they describe as a "provocative desecration" of the grove by a group identified as the God of White Calling for Souls Ministries. According to a statement released by the Otuagasa Foundation on Monday, March 30, 2026, members of the ministry, led by Prophet Odedoyin Ezekiel, entered the sacred grounds to perform rituals that traditionalists claim were designed to insult their faith and heritage.

The Alleged "Spiritual Cleansing" Incident

Reports indicate that the individuals involved paid for access to the grove before recording videos of themselves purportedly casting "spirits" out of traditional religious symbols. Babalawo Ogundeji Elebuibon, the founder of the Otuagasa Foundation, labeled the act as "fanaticism taken too far." He argued that the recording and dissemination of such videos serve no purpose other than to incite religious unrest in the peaceful capital of Osun State. The statement highlighted the double standard in religious tolerance, asking how the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) would react if traditional devotees entered a church to perform similar "cleansing" rituals on Christian symbols.

Calls For Institutional Oversight And Arrests

The Otuagasa Foundation has formally called upon the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to investigate the matter and arrest those responsible to curb future occurrences. Furthermore, the foundation directed a message to the custodians of the grove, including the Ataoja of Osogbo and the high priests (Baba Olosun and Iya Olosun). The traditionalists urged these leaders to view the grove as a "sacred entity" requiring strict conservation and protection, rather than merely a source of tourism income. They insist that the "maturity" shown by traditionalists in accommodating other faiths should not be mistaken for a lack of resolve to protect their collective identity.