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Wurukum Market in Makurdi, Benue State were left stunned on Thursday, June 5, 2025, when a tortoise, wrapped with a red cloth, was spotted crawling out of a shop.
The strange sight caused a stir, with many whispering about charms and supernatural forces, as posts on X captured the moment and set social media abuzz.
This tortoise came out of a shop with a red cloth tied around it. What does this mean?” one X user, @Naijawide01, posted, sharing a video that quickly went viral.
Another user, @9jahouseofgist, wrote, Shocking things are happening! A tortoise with charms tied to it in Wurukum market. May God protect us in these strange times.
The posts, filled with emojis of shock and prayer, reflect the mix of fear and fascination among onlookers.
In Nigeria, tortoises are sometimes linked to folklore and rituals, with red cloth often associated with spiritual practices. A similar incident in Zimbabwe involved a woman using a tortoise wrapped in red cloth to intimidate her employer, claiming it had mystical powers to “siphon money.” While no clear explanation has emerged for the Makurdi incident, locals speculate it could be tied to traditional beliefs or an attempt to scare others.
The tortoise, described as moving slowly but confidently, drew a crowd before it was reportedly taken away. Authorities have not commented, and the shop owner’s identity remains unknown. For now, the mysterious reptile has left Makurdi residents rattled, with many urging caution. “Be careful what you see in these markets,” one trader warned. “Not everything is as it seems.”
As the story spreads, the tortoise in the red cloth has become a haunting symbol of the unexpected, leaving Nigerians wondering what secrets it carried through the bustling market.
