Oba of Benin summons native doctors over rising insecurity

The Ewuare II of Benin has summoned native doctors, traditional priests and priestesses to an emergency meeting over the growing insecurity in Edo State and other parts of the country.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday and signed by Chief Victor Nosakhare on behalf of the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

According to the statement, the meeting is scheduled to hold at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City.

The palace stated that the gathering was convened on the instruction of Oba Ewuare II and should be treated as a matter of urgent importance.

It explained that the meeting is intended to explore traditional approaches that could support ongoing government efforts to address insecurity.

Meanwhile, the Benin Traditional Council also announced plans to meet with youth leaders, popularly known as Okaighele, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the same venue and time.

The development highlights increasing involvement of traditional institutions in efforts to support security agencies amid rising cases of kidnapping and cult-related violence in the state.