Forced to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, a teenage boy is kidnapped over a traditional chief priest role he refuses to accept.
A Christian teenager in south west Nigeria, Tomiwa Titus Okundalaye, was forcefully taken in Lagos on March 27, 2024, by suspected ritualists, the incident is linked to a controversial ritual inheritance in his hometown of Owo, Ondo State.
According to the Ondo State Police Command's spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, the boy was abducted because he was chosen by the gods to succeed his late grandfather, Olajide Okundalaye, as the chief priest of the Okundalaye family. However, Tomiwa and his father, Tosin Okundalaye, objected to this traditional practice, citing their Christian beliefs.
The suspects allegedly wanted to force Tomiwa to accept the position and perform the necessary rituals, which he and his father had refused. The boy was rescued, and two suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction. Items recovered from the suspects include a cutlass, dane gun, and local charms.
Tosin pleaded that the arrest might not bring the matter to a conclusion, though they were later released for the issue to be settled in the family.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by individuals who resist forced cultural or religious practices, especially in cases where family traditions conflict with personal beliefs.
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