The Nigerian Army has denied claims that there is a Voodoo shrine in the Minna Army Barracks.
According to a statement signed by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 31 Artillery Brigade, Major Sydney Mbaneme on Tuesday, the report of the Voodoo shrine was contained in an article written by one Sunday Adole Jonah of the Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State.
“The author who claimed to be a one-time barracks boy shared what he described as his “ugly experience when he strolled round the Minna barracks on Sunday 19 July 2020 after visiting the mammy market” He claimed he saw disgusting sight of voodoo sacrificial items kept at roads junction inside the barracks close to corpers’ lodge,” the statement read in part.
As at the time he saw it, the items according to him, “had then been scattered about in the wind and misty rain”.
“White handkerchief, a collection of four amulets (laya in Hausa), traces of red stuffs and other unidentifiable materials were things he claimed that made up the voodoo sacrifice”.
Mbaneme queried the place of religion in the barracks and expressed surprise that such thing should still be found in the 21st century Nigeria when everything can be explained by science.
But in reaction, the army said it officially recognises only two religions i.e Christianity and Islam.
It also noted that places of worship are provided for both Christians and Muslim faithful at Minna barracks just like any other barracks around the country.
“Consequently, Nigerian Army does not condone or encourage any form of sacrilegious practice under any guise whatsoever. Any army personnel reported and is confirmed to have been involved in Voodooism will be decisively dealt with,” Mbaneme.