Some traditional religion worshipers have protested the claims an ex-convict made on a radio station that he killed no fewer than 78 people and fed his deity with their blood.
The protesters who stormed Fresh FM radio station located at Challenge area of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State on Sunday, accused popular gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele of using his radio station to disparage the traditional religion.
They knocked Ayefele for hosting a multiple serial ex-convict on his radio programme tagged: “Opeyemi”, saying the revelations made by his guest that he has taken countless of lives to feed his dark deity disrespected their way of practice as traditional religion worshippers.
The internet had erupted in fury as some Nigerians on social media demanded for the arrest and harsh punishment of the repentant criminal for his chilling confessions.
Ayefele, who controversially provided a platform for the man, whose identity and face were concealed, to voice his shocking revelations, had faced backlash alongside his guest.
The individual, now labeled as a changed man, made the shocking confession that he has killed 78 people—mostly women—whom he claimed were sacrificed and their blood used in feeding his deity on a monthly basis in a desperate attempt to renew his power and wealth.
The magnitude of his confessions has set the internet ablaze, provoking intense outrage not only towards the killer but also toward Ayefele, who has faced a barrage of serious accusations.
Angered by the man’s claims, some traditionalists, led by one Adegbola Abdulazeez, popularly known as ‘Tani Olohun’, and members of Ogboni confraternity demonstrated to Ayefele’s radio station, refuting the former convict’s narrations.
They said deities don’t take human blood and that it is not in their practise to kill people for any ritual purposes.
Displaying placards bearing varying inscriptions such as “Ayefele, Don’t Destroy Yoruba,” “Isese is a Religion of Peace,” “There is No Shedding Human Blood in Isese Religion,” along others, they maintained that their religion does not permit sacrificing human lives or using their blood for sacrifice or ritual.
Also, the International Council of Ifa Religion called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the man and his claims.
In a statement, the President of the Council, Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode said Isese religion does not support using human blood for any sacrifice or ritual.
Meanwhile, the gospel singer had urged critics not to stigmatize the repentant ritualist and hired assassin he interviewed on his radio show.
Ayefele called for a collective introspection, advocating for a response rooted in understanding and compassion rather than pure anger.
He posited that everyone deserves a chance at redemption and that society must be cautious about how it treats those who express remorse for their past actions.
