| Okija shrine again
•Man who exposed the evil that took place in Okija says
the ritualists are back
By Henry Umahi
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
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•Orbed
Igwe
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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The old wise saying that the leopard does not change its
spot seems to ring true of the priests of the Okija Shrine
in Anambra State whose nefarious activities were exposed barely
two years ago.
Chief Orbed Igwe, who brought the goings on in the deadly
shrine to national limelight in August 2004, has again raised
alarm, saying that the men are back to their old ways having
being released from detention. He added that things have assumed
a more frightening dimension in the Umuhu Okija community.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun,
Igwe disclosed: "What is actually happening now is that
these people (priests) have returned to their old despicable
ways. In fact, they are more vehement and brazen in their
operations now than ever. They have now formed what they call
MASSOB Youths. They parade with sophisticated guns, axe, cutlasses
and other dangerous weapons. How they came about the guns
I don’t know."
He said that they are holding the community by the throat,
terrorising and killing people. He also appealed to government
to give him adequate protection, saying that the priest are
threatening his life and property for dabbling into their
business.
Igwe spoke another issues.
Why I expose Okija shrine
I decided to expose the Okija shrine because I saw that nothing
real was there. It was a subterfuge some elements used to
eliminate people and confiscate their money and property.
It was a place of ritual killings. And they sold the corpses
and coffins of their victims. They debased, humiliated and
disgraced families that were not supposed to suffer such.
The priests used the shrine to threaten people because some
of them were hired assassins and robbers. I did it just to
make sure that I freed society from the evil they were perpetrating.
I exposed them so that our children and children’s children
can live peacefully, happily and comfortably.
Okija shrine is back
The moment these people were released from detention, they
returned to their evil practise. They drank along the road
and made merry, saying that government had given them power
to continue. They started their activities afresh. Ironically,
after hearing all these things, people are still patronising
them. How they are getting their victims, I don’t know.
The other time, I went and buried those people they killed
and said shouldn’t be buried. Some of them joined hands
to bury the corpse, saying that they will not engage in such
evil acts again. The aged men among them even said that they
will clear the bushes by themselves.
But what is actually happening now is that these people have
returned to their old, despicable ways. In fact, they are
more vehement and brazen in their operations now than ever.
They have now formed what they call MASSOB Youths.
They parade with sophisticated guns, axe, cutlass and other
dangerous weapons. How they came about the guns I don’t
know. Right now, they are using these weapons to deal with
law enforcement agents that disturb them. Recently, one security
man appointed by the community was dealt with. They tied him
up and threw him into the river. Now the family of the deceased
is asking for their son. The matter is now at Zone 9, Umuahia,
the police have been going there and they have been shooting
at the policemen. Without the bullet proof vests that the
policemen wear when they go, several casualties would have
been recorded. They claim to be MASSOB Youths, terrorising
people in the community, beating up people at will, including
the aged.
They said that power belongs to them now. To make matters
worse, those suspects that were arranged for killing Barrister
Igwe and who escaped from Onitsha prison during the recent
crises in the commercial city are now with them. They even
have their own private cell where they detain and torture
those who refuse to co-operate with them. I keep wondering
how they got the weapons they are brandishing all over the
place. People are now being slaughtered like chickens in the
21st century. This is unacceptable.
Threat on my life
They have been threatening me since, saying that they would
attack me. They also threatened to burn my house in the village.
In fact, there is no security now in my village. They said
that I brought the policemen that arrested the suspected killers
of the security man and burnt down some of their houses and
property. They said that I reported the case to the police
and that I did not allow them to do their business.
Okija shrine is fake
It will interest you to know that some young people selling
Okrika (used) shirts at Yaba and Oshodi were lured home by
these evil men who told them to abandon their genuine business
and join them, saying that there is good money in shrine business.
So, they mystified bushes in the village and name them anything.
Some bought corpses from mortuary attendants or took unidentified
or abandoned accident victims, bought cement and other chemicals
and embalm the corpses. Thereafter, they put the corpses in
cheap coffins of about N2000 and used them as scarecrows to
threaten their victims. It is a terrible situation.
How I cope with the threats
Nobody will be happy when he hears that he may be killed.
I have no regrets whatsoever for exposing their atrocities
any way. It is a sacrifice that I made; that even if I pass
away there is no problem provided the evil is stopped. I do
not want our children and children’s children to suffer
in the hands of the evil men.
This is the 21st century when we should be engaged in causes
that will advance society and not resorting to archaic practices.
Other countries are going to the moon. Why should we be going
to the mud?
I have no regrets for what I did. I know that God is still
guiding me, but if anything should happen to me in the course
of this struggle, let Nigerians and other people of good conscience
take care of my wife and children.
Military and Okija
My main concern is that to get the evil eradicated, the place
should be given to the military. It is a land of 158 acres.
It could be used for any worthy venture so that the people
can have peace.
Okija people
The average Okija indigene is clean, honest and law abiding.
The people painting us black are just 13 in number and their
errand boys numbering 52. They cannot leave this business
because the money has entered their blood. The only way out
is to eliminate or jail them. They are too lazy to do any
other thing.
Cry for help
What the government should do for me is to assist me and give
me adequate security. There is no doubt that I have demonstrated
the virtue of a good citizen. Government should send policemen
to protect my house which they are threatening to burn. Of
course, the security men should be adequately equipped. Also,
they should make provision for the upkeep of the security
men. I have spent nothing less than N9.2 million on security,
including taking care of policemen attached to me. I got the
money though property sale and the help from some concerned
people.
Onitsha crises
The shrine priests are my brothers. They are into all sorts
of things. When Bakassi came they were on board. Now they
are in MASSOB. Don’t expect that these people causing
trouble in Onitsha and calling themselves MASSOB are indigenes
of Onitsha. What they do is to call themselves on phone, then
converge on Onitsha and at the end of the day, they will go
back to their different villages. These people are the main
threat.
I commend Gov Peter for the way he handled the problem. He
has shown that he is capable of ruling Anambra State. He is
God’s gift. He should work hard to bequeath a lasting
legacy. The structures and policies he is putting in place
in Anambra State are good. He has stopped illegal levies on
the people. I think he is trying to arrange transport operations
in an orderly and befitting manner in the state. Although
he is new, he has shown that he is equal to the task.
Orbed Igwe Human Rights Foundation
In continuation of the liberation struggle, we have formed
an NGO, Orbed Igwe Human Rights Foundation. The vision of
the organisation is to free mankind from disgrace, harassment
and denials. We want every human to enjoy his full rights
as well as ensure that the less privileged members of society
are adequately catered for. In short, what we are fighting
for is to make this place a better place to live because we
don’t have any other country than Nigeria. It is a struggle
we urge government, corporate organisations and public spirited
individuals to embrace.
The problem with Anambra State
The problem with Anambra State is godfatherism. Also, the
criminal mindedness of some past governors is a contributory
factor. For example, supposing that Gov. Chinwoke Mbadinuju
paid the salary of teachers and civil servants as and when
due that his successors are suffering to pay, things won’t
have been the same. You know, a hungry man is an angry man.
Some of the people who found themselves in government have
no business there. Lack of employment is also another problem.
Nobody will leave his work to become a militant or whatever.
This applies to the whole Nigerian society. Greed also contributed
to the mess.
Anambra State is a gateway to several states. Different kinds
of people converge there. If, for instance, there is a by-pass
cutting off Onitsha, the chaos going on there will not be.
My advice to Gov Obi is to use the wisdom that God has given
him to control the situation in Anambra State. He should not
try to do it all. He should involve well meaning people of
the state in the task of fixing the place. In the same vein,
he should be wary of the political profiteers and miscreants.
Anambra people wish him well and will support him as he dishes
out concrete dividends of democracy.
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