The people of Vono Street in Mushin, Lagos State, no longer found it strange when incantations were whispered in low tones accompanied by a variety of local songs at odd hours. They have realised that the actions represented the disposal of new sacrifices at a well-known intersection in the street.
One of the locals who is troubled by the continuous dumping of sacrifices in the region is Stephen Oluwashanu. He didn’t realise that the street beside Challenge bus station in the Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State is renowned for the dumping of open sacrifices when he moved there from the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja some time ago to start operating a commercial bus. To the annoyance of the locals and bystanders, the sacrifice bearers frequently positioned the sacrifices in advantageous locations.
Oluwashanu told our correspondent that the sacrifices were often garnished with assorted foods and dumped in the area at midnight.
He said, “What I know is that early in the morning we always see sacrifices. They bearers bring different pots of sacrifices every other day. We do not know the effects on whoever sees the sacrifices.’’
He further explained that he often felt disturbed beholding sacrifices most mornings. He stated, “When I’m driving around 6am, as early as that time, one will see pots of sacrifices mixed with several food items. I don’t know what the sacrifices are meant for really. But I do see them as a bad omen. We pray not to be unfortunate in our lives.’’
The father of four added that goosebumps usually seized his body after sighting the sacrifices. “What I have noticed is that anytime I see the sacrifices, I do have goosebumps. It’s a kind of feeling I cannot explain. I always try now to make sure that I am not the first person to go out every morning.”
“There was a time they asked them to stop putting them by the roadside so they constructed a small place for them. Despite that they are still putting them at the T-junction at Challenge bus stop. We always attempt to chase them away from here too but the people collecting money from them prevented us from doing so,” he stated.
