Osun traditionalists combat covid-19 with Oro ritual

Traditionalists in Ile Ife, Osun State, have begun Oro ritual to combat the ravaging coronavirus in Nigeria.

The development commenced on Thursday with residents restricted to their homes to allow Oro procession to go through some major streets for spiritual cleansing against coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a 14-day restriction to prevent the spread of coronavirus had commenced across the state.

Sources in Ife revealed that there was public service announcement aired by a radio station based in the town, signed by one Chief Oyelami Awoyode on behalf of Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, intimating residents that Oro procession would move through some major streets on Thursday.

The announcement was also accompanied by a stern warning that whoever was caught would pay dearly for it.

Also, town criers were said to have gone round the town to announce restriction of movement between 6 am and 6 pm on Thursday.

In the said announcement, communities in the ancient city where the procession would reach were listed.

Residents of the affected communities said they were indoors in order to allow the Oro possession conducted successfully.