In September 1989, Prime People magazine published a story about a Nigerian man named Roland, who claimed that an encounter with a swarm of bees led him to convert to Christianity. According to the report, Roland had attempted to steal a protected motorcycle in Uruan, in present-day Akwa Ibom State. The motorcycle's owner had taken measures to protect it from theft, using traditional practitioners to ward off potential thieves.
The protection method involved using a mixture that was believed to summon bees to attack anyone who tried to steal the motorcycle. Roland reportedly encountered a swarm of bees when he attempted to steal the motorcycle. A witness, Atim Effiong, told Prime People that she saw Roland covered in bees and fainting after her father lifted the motorcycle. Effiong's father had arranged for her Honda motorcycle to be protected after his own motorcycle was stolen shortly after he bought it.
According to Effiong, sacrifices were made before Roland regained consciousness. The traditional practitioner who prepared the protective mixture reportedly used ingredients such as a live cock, white cloth, and a small amount of money. The report did not provide independent evidence that the preparations could summon bees or cause them to attack suspected thieves.
When interviewed by Prime People, Roland said he had become a Christian and was spending his time praying and reading the Bible. He attributed his conversion to the experience with the bees, saying he believed God had used it to save him. However, Roland did not provide a clear account of what had happened to him and did not confirm whether he had attempted to steal the motorcycle.
Roland's story was part of a larger report on the use of traditional protection methods to prevent motorcycle theft in the area. Many motorcyclists in the community knew about the practice and believed it to be effective. The report highlighted the high rate of motorcycle theft in the area and the measures that owners took to protect their vehicles.
The Prime People report also included an interview with a traditional practitioner in nearby Mbiakong, who acknowledged preparing protective mixtures. The practitioner described the ingredients used and the process of preparing the mixture. However, the report did not verify the effectiveness of the mixture or the claims attributed to the people interviewed.
The story of Roland's conversion to Christianity has been cited as an example of the unusual ways in which people can come to faith. While the details of the story are unverified, it highlights the complex and often syncretic nature of religious belief in Nigeria. The report was written by Umo Ekanem and was published in Prime People in September 1989.
Key points
- A Nigerian man named Roland claimed that an encounter with a swarm of bees led him to convert to Christianity in 1989.
- The incident occurred in Uruan, in present-day Akwa Ibom State, and was reported in Prime People magazine.
- The story highlights the use of traditional protection methods to prevent motorcycle theft in the area.
