Ritualists Invade Yaku Community in Ogbomoso, Desecrate Graves
Yaku community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, experienced a disturbing attack on Saturday night as unidentified grave robbers attempted to steal corpses by breaking into graves.
According to gathered information, the perpetrators targeted the community under the cover of darkness, successfully breaking the slabs of four graves. However, their attempt to steal the corpses was thwarted.
“Although they managed to break the slabs of four graves, they couldn’t steal any of the corpses. When we checked, the graves were intact,” stated Oniyaku of Yaku, Oba Ojewumi Sunday Oyeniyi, in an interview with journalists.
Oba Oyeniyi speculated that the thieves might have been interrupted or planned to return later to complete their heinous act. “We have taken measures to protect our graves,” he added.
The traditional ruler criticized the modern practice of burying the dead in shallow graves. He explained that in the past, graves were dug deeper and filled with compacted earth, making them harder to access. Nowadays, graves are often plastered, painted, and covered with slabs, making them more vulnerable.
“The contemporary burial methods contradict the teachings of the holy books. We should return to traditional practices where graves are filled with earth, following the ‘dust-to-dust’ rite, instead of using concrete and flowers,” Oba Oyeniyi asserted.
He dismissed rumors that his late father’s grave was among those targeted. “My father was buried in our sitting room, and I took extra measures to secure his grave by compacting the earth and adding water for weeks. Anyone attempting to disturb such a grave would have to demolish the house,” he explained.
Oba Oyeniyi also called on the government to address the economic hardship driving people to commit such crimes. “The suffering in the land is too much. The government must take steps to reduce the prices of goods and alleviate the people’s hardships.”
The incident has been reported to the police, confirmed a source close to the investigation.
Source: Ogbomosoinsight
