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Chief priest, Gbenga Saala prays with a kolanut for one of the worshippers of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. Every year worshippers offer a dog as sacrifice to Ogun, a traditional Nigerian deity, in hope of an auspicious year ahead. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Chief priest, Gbenga Saala prays with a kolanut for one of the worshippers of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. Every year worshippers offer a dog as sacrifice to Ogun, a traditional Nigerian deity, in hope of an auspicious year ahead. Taxi drivers, blacksmiths, panel beaters and mechanics – trades that depend on metal for their livelihood – pay homage to Ogun, led by high priest Gbenga Saala. As part of the ceremony, the priest pours the dog’s blood on symbols of these workers’ trade: keys, spanners and other tools piled up in a metal barrel. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



A dog sleeps away in a metal cage at the shrine of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

A dog sleeps away in a metal cage at the shrine of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



Chief priest, Gbenga Saala (top) prays for one of the worshippers of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Chief priest, Gbenga Saala (top) prays for one of the worshippers of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



Chief priest Gbenga Saala (C) lifts up a choked dog from a metal cage during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration of the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Chief priest Gbenga Saala (C) lifts up a choked dog from a metal cage during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration of the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



Worshippers of the iron god Ogun gather during an annual prayer and sacrifice ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Worshippers of the iron god Ogun gather during an annual prayer and sacrifice ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



Chief priest Gbenga Saala raises a cutlass to kill a dog during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration of the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Chief priest Gbenga Saala raises a cutlass to kill a dog during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration of the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



Car keys and other metals, which represent the jobs of worshippers of the iron god Ogun are seen during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Car keys and other metals, which represent the jobs of worshippers of the iron god Ogun are seen during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



A dog's blood is sprinkled at the shrine of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

A dog's blood is sprinkled at the shrine of the iron god Ogun during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



Chief priest, Gbenga Saala of the iron god Ogun leads worshippers during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Chief priest, Gbenga Saala of the iron god Ogun leads worshippers during an annual prayer and sacrifice celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



A spanner is placed on Nigerian notes during an annual prayer and sacrifice to the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

A spanner is placed on Nigerian notes during an annual prayer and sacrifice to the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)



Chief Priest, Gbenga Saala pours palm oil on car keys and other metals during an annual prayer and sacrifice of the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Chief Priest, Gbenga Saala pours palm oil on car keys and other metals during an annual prayer and sacrifice of the iron god Ogun in Abuja, Nigeria, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)
15 Sep 2015 13:56:00