Tension is rising in Osun State after a pastor of Christ for All Souls Ministry, and some of his church members allegedly invaded the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, triggering outrage among traditional worshippers and raising fears of a broader religious conflict.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on March 10, 2026, has sparked outrage among traditional worshippers and community leaders, who described the act as both provocative and deeply disrespectful.
According to reports, the church group entered the sacred grove to carry out what they described as a “spiritual cleansing,” with the aim of rendering the revered gods occupying the spiritual location powerless.
A viral video from the scene shows a pastor and members of his congregation allegedly desecrating a deity while chanting in Yoruba:
“Agbara Esu da nibi ti Jesu gbe n joba, agbara Esu da ko si o o ti wo,” loosely translated as, “Where is the power of Esu where Jesus reigns? The power of the Esu has been destroyed.”
The footage has since intensified public anger, particularly among traditionalists who view the grove as a sacred heritage site.
Watch video of the pastor in the grove:
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Traditionalists condemns act, petitions police
Traditional institutions in Osogbo have strongly condemned the act, warning that such actions could threaten the peace and cultural harmony of the community. Community leaders have also submitted a petition to the state Commissioner of Police, urging authorities to intervene and prevent escalation.
The Baba Oosa of Osogboland, Prince Osunyemi Ifarinu Ifabode, accused the pastor and his followers of unlawfully entering the grove and engaging in acts offensive to the beliefs of Osun worshippers.
“This is not only about tradition; it is about upholding the law, respecting cultural heritage, and preserving peaceful coexistence,” part of the petition read.
Amid growing frustration, traditionalists warned that failure by security agencies and the state government to act decisively could disrupt the fragile peace in the town. They argued that the incident goes beyond cultural insensitivity and may constitute legal offences, including trespass, desecration of a place of worship, and actions capable of breaching public order.
See video of Baba Oosa of Osogboland addressing the pastor’s desecration of the Osun-Osogbo Grove below:
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Traditionalists’ perform ritual in church, escalates tension
In a swift and controversial response, some traditional worshippers reportedly stormed the pastor’s church in protest.
They allegedly brought a dog, considered a sacrificial animal in rituals associated with the Ogun deity,to the church premises and placed it near the altar in what appeared to be an act of retaliation.
While performing the ritual in church, the traditionalists sang the same song the church used while desecrating the grove and substituted devil with Jesus:
“Agbara Jesu da ni bi ti Esu gbe n joba, agbara Jesu da, ko si o, o ti wo,” loosely translated as, “Where is the power of the Jesus where Esu reigns? The power of Jesus has been destroyed.”
Watch traditionalists’ invasion of the church below:
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Cultural & Global Significance of Osun-Osogbo Grove
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is widely regarded as the spiritual home of Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility. The grove features shrines, sculptures, and sanctuaries dedicated to Osun and other deities, attracting worshippers and tourists from around the world.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the grove operates under the authority of the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, and remains one of Nigeria’s most important cultural and religious landmarks.
As tensions continue to simmer, many residents and observers are calling for calm, dialogue, and swift intervention to prevent the situation from spiralling into a wider religious conflict.
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