Concerned members of the Igbinovia family in Benin City, Edo State, have raised alarm over the whereabouts, of one Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia and her son who they say are nowhere to be found.
They say that members of the family have not set their eyes on both mother and son either in the family residence or in parts of the City for several months now.
A female member of the family who spoke on anonymity said that Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia was married to late Chief Igbinovia, who was the chief priest of the Egugu deity and had his only son for him
She said that, “Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia’s son by tradition was supposed to assume the position of chief priest after his father died in November 2018, before he suddenly disappeared.
“This is a hereditary post and our father put down his name to take the title after he died, but the boy said he is a Christian and a pastor and so rejected the position”.
Asked if she was aware that Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia actually told her son in February 2019 but he rejected the offer because he is a Christian and Pastor, she said she was not aware.
She said she did not know whether Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia was intimidated, harassed and threatened by elders and youths in the community, and even attacked at her residence before the Police came to her rescue.
She also said because the Egugu deity was denied sacrifices as Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia’s son rejected the Chief priest position, the community in June 2019 witnessed the mysterious death of the son of the High chief.
“We expected Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia to tell her son that he cannot reject the position because it is his birthright but she claimed that she did but that the boy rejected the offer and disappeared. We are looking everywhere waiting for him and his mother”.
Meanwhile, indications are that Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia who hails from Ughelli, Delta State is the only one of Chief Igbinovia’s many wives who gave birth him a son. Others had female children.
What she did not know was that her son is heir to the Chief priest of Egugu deity. It was gathered that the chief told community elders this much before his death.
Sources say that her son disappeared and may actually have left the country for fear of his life. A lawyer reportedly harboured the mother after she left Benin for Lagos, in search of her son.
But the Igbinovia family insist that “Priscilla Otobo Aghoghovia and her son are wanted persons in our community because the son must take over as Chief Priest of the Egugu deity or he will never know peace, like his mother wherever they are”
