Tension in Igbo-Ukwu over dumping of deadly shrine
Tension and palpable fear have gripped Igbo-Ugwu, an ancient community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State following the alleged dumping of a deadly shrine, Iyioji Ogbu of Umeri, Anambra East Local Government Area in the family compound of two siblings Udeze and Okpala Izuegbunam.
The shrine said to have been brought by five men in a vehicle at the instance of the Chief priest, Emeka Onochie, was to harm the two brothers for allegedly failing to pay N10 million worth of goods supplied to them by one Ejimofor Akwuobi.
It was gathered that the said Akwuobi had approached the priests of the shrine who summoned Udenze but on getting there, they claimed he came late.
But on March 18, 2017, at about 10am, when people had gone out remaining their mother, they dumped the shrine.
Consequently, members of the family and neighbourhood were said to have started fleeing in droves which made the siblings to petition the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sam Okaula, through their counsel, Mr. Muoneke Eliseus Kanayo.
In the petition, he demanded that Ejimofor Akwuobi, who dragged the Izuegbunams to the shrine, the Chief priest of the shrine and his errand boys who brought the shrine to Igboukwu should be arrested and prosecuted for ‘trial by ordeal’.
Their counsel described the action of the said Akwuobi, Chief priest and cohorts by inviting the siblings to the shrine and planting same in their family compound, as mockery to the Izuegbunem family having turned their compound to pilgrimage by crowd who trooped to have a glimpse of the shrine.
The letter of the invitation of the siblings which was signed by the Chief Priest read in part thus: “Iyioji Ogbu Umueri, summon; Ejimofor Akuluobi of Nando reported you, Udenze and Okpala Izuegbunem of Igboukwu to Iyioji Ogbu Umueri and now you are needed”.
The lawyer said the likes of Akwuobi, the Chief priest and their errand boys who have turned themselves into police and judge, should not be allowed to go unpunished.
