News - South West - Lagos
Updated: October 30, 2020

#EndSARS: The Sacrilege Of Making Away With Oba Eko's Staff Of Office

By Zaccheus Ukhueleigbe
October 30, 2020
0

For the past few weeks, Nigeria has been in a state of confusion and panic after the killings at the Lekki Massacre on #EndSARS protesters, hoodlums overtake the streets causing all kinds of destruction especially in Lagos.

Amid the Lagos Mayhem, the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr) Rilwanu Babatunde was chased out of his palace by hoodlums who carted away with treasured items, clothes, shoes, money in the coffin. The most heartbreaking item that was stolen is the traditional Staff of Office that was looted without anybody's consent.

AllNews understands that Oba Akiolu was rescued from harm by soldiers who stormed the palace and whisked him away.

Several pictures were released online showing how Nigerian youths (Hoodlums) destroyed the Palace and even swimming in the Palace pool.

Although an unconfirmed report states that the stolen Oba Eko's staff has been found and the monarch has regained his throne back after ritual rites were carried out at Isale Eko.

Pictures also reveal members of his cabinet holding a procession to welcome the Staff of Office back to the Palace.

However, my concern is how come the hoodlum was able to get hold of the royal staff of office without an immediate spiritual repercussion.

About Staff of office Traditionally Called Opa Ase

AllNews understands that ‘Opa Ase” – Traditional Staff of Office is a symbol of authority of a king and if it is stolen successfully, it connotes that whoever is with it possesses authority.

The sacrilege of making away with the traditional staff of office was the biggest crime of all. The looter dealt the Oba a fatal blow and created an unwanted history for him. It has never happened in Lagos before now” AllNews learned.

After giving a deadline and invoking curses for the return of the stolen Staff of Office, custodians of tradition and priests of the Oba of Lagos on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, staged a procession to cleanse the palace and welcome the “Opa Ase” to the king’s palace.

In another report, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, on Thursday, October 29 Clocked 77 year old.

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa Felicitated with the monarch.

In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity said the President expressed his sympathy over the protests which claimed lives and property within his domains.

The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari spoke on phone today, Thursday with His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr) Rilwanu Babatunde, the Oba Lagos.

“President Buhari conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to the Lagos ruler on the occasion of his 77th birthday.

“He also commiserated with him on the recent episode of violence that led to the losses of life and property in Lagos.

“The President recalled his long association and friendship with the Oba and appreciated the personal role that the latter has played in nurturing the peace and development of Lagos state and nation as a whole.”

Also in a goodwill message, Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, described Akiolu as an amiable and adorable royal father.

Obasa said: “The greatest gift of life is to be alive, hail and healthy, particularly in the face of life challenges, for this, I am happy Almighty Allah has granted you and He has added yet another year to your glorious age.

“It is my fervent prayer that God will continue to grant you good health and divine wisdom as you age with grace.”