Warfare prayer and the use of spiritual symbols by religious commuters along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,Nigeria

Abstract

Prayer, with the use of religious symbols, has been an instrument in spiritual warfare along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway, as many believed in the influence of spiritual attacks that must be countered with warfare prayers. While scholars have examined new religious movements and space contestation on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, how religious devotion and divine protection represent security for many, and fears of demonic possession/witchcraft represent insecurity for others, adequate attention has not been paid to the use of prayers and religious symbols as forms of spiritual security on highways. Thus, this article employs qualitative methods to examine the use of spiritual symbols and warfare prayers, alongside their effectiveness as forms of spiritual security, on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The article concludes that circumstances on both the material and supernatural levels lead citizens to take actions to reduce the risk of accidents on the highways in Nigeria.