The Akinmusanmi family of Ile-Oluji, in Ondo state is currently in anguish, following the sudden disappearance of a member of the family, Tunde who family sources informed absconded after he was initiated as the Priest and coordinator of the family idol worship shrine.
Addressing newsmen over the issue, at a press conference organized by the family to announce Tunde’s disappearance and appealed to the public to help with information that could lead to his whereabouts, Chief Esubiyi, one of the elders who addressed the media on behalf of the Akinmusanmi family in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Tuesday , explained that trouble started when the Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/OkeIgbo LGA, Ondo State born Tunde was selected by traditional means to man the idol worship centre of the family.
The family head, Esubiyi, informed that their Kajola village family house has become a mecca of sorts for sympathizers who throng in daily to identify with them over Tunde’s decision to abandon the spiritual seat.
Informing that it is important that Tunde is found, the family head explained that before her death in 2021, one of Tunde’s sisters was the one who played the role of the idol priest, as she took sacrifice to the gods and performed rituals on behalf of the family.
”She was initiated at a very tender age and before any member of the family did anything, she must be consulted. She maintained the laws of the position as she was not married nor had a child.
”When she died, the mantle fell on Tunde and his official initiation was performed in January 2021.
Esubiyi explained that though Tunde is a devoted Christian, he was however picked as the priest of the family idol, which he initially declined to accept because according to him, as a Christian, he cannot identify with idol worship especially, when it had to do with rituals and blood usage.
”Through various means adopted however, he was intiated in January 2022 ,but he absconded later when he realised that he won’t be able to marry or have children as the priest of the family shrine.
”As the Priest of our family idol, one cannot have children nor be married. But Tunde got married secretly and when the necessary penalty was about being applied, he disappeared.
”Information we gathered was that he eloped with his wife,Awolope Ayomide to the United Kingdom. But we performed some rituals and he returned home in 2023.“
According to the family leader, though in Nigeria, Tunde engaged in a hide and seek game and refused to perform his role as the Chief priest of the family idol shrine, a decision Esubiyi said is responsible for the various calamities befalling members of the family.
What led to the family cry to the public through the media Esubiyi explained, is the fact that there is no trace of Tunde again.
He said when he arrived in Nigeria last year, he was traced to a lady , Owoseni Mercy Tope whom he said harboured him,but the spiritual consultations and investigations done to seek him out so far suggest that he has left the hiding place.
”As things stand, Tunde must be found by every means possible because his decision to abandon his spiritual responsibility and commit sacrilege by getting involved with a woman is causing serious spiritual problems in the family.
”We are appealing to anyone who knows his whereabouts to please notify the family or the police,” Esubiyi pleaded.
