In this time and age when it is assumed that man has moved away from primitive behaviours and culture, there still exist barbaric customs and practices in some parts of Nigeria.
The existence of “Ida Ogbom” festival and the babaric rituals that take place behind the scene in Mba Chukwu, Amawom autonomous community, Ikwuano L.G.A. Abia state in Nigeria is worrisome.
Stories have it that there are incidents of barbarism that take place days leading to the final festival. Both male and female appear half naked in mid night. While female adults are circumcised , female genital organ is traditionally sealed to prevent infidelity,adult males are made to take blood oath and drink unhygienic concoctions. Those who undergo this ritual are regarded as full fledged members of the community. They enjoy huge advantage over non members. They are permitted to own and inherit landed properties belonging to their families and kindreds. On the other hand, those who refuse to undergo the ritual are treated as second class citizens and with disdain.
One of the indigenes of MBA Chukwu who we interviewed, but pleaded for his name not to be mentioned, said that while it’s tolerable for a non -royal member of the community to avoid the ritual, it is a sacrilege for a member of the royal family not to undergo the Ida Ogbom rituals. From his stance he was in support of the cult group and referred to Anthony Chiadikobi who is at the center of current Crisis as evil man who wants to bring calamity to the entire community.
He maintained that the royal family is the custodian of the custom and that no member of the royal family can afford to act contrary. Disobedience will surely lead to death he concluded.
Sadly, this is exactly the experience of Mr Anthony Chiadikobi Obasi and his family .
Mr Anthony is a member of the Obasi royal family and his uncle Chidozie Obasi is the current EZE (king) of his people (Isi Bu Mba VII ) of MBA Chukwu, Amawom autonomous community.
From information at our disposal, Anthony was forced to performe some stages of his own rituals years back as an adolescent, however, trouble broke out when Anthony refused to submit himself and family for the final rituals as an adult thereby going against an age long tradition.
The battle line was drawn and there have been attacks and persecution on Uchenna and his wife and two children for 3 years running.Series of strange attacks , illness, and misfortune have befallen them. From investigation it was revealed that Mr Anthony and his family have been hiding and living as fugitives in their own country.
The king rallied the people and custom , and the Chief priest, including the dreaded ‘ EKWESU’ deity behind him to chase Anthony and his family away from the community. His family house was attacked and part of it razed down. They live in perpetual fear now.
Anthony’s uncle who spoke to us in anonymity said Anthony has suffered grave persecution from the IDA OGBOM cult group and risk death if nothing urgent is done. He is using this medium to call on Abia state government and security agents to intervene and save Anthony Chiadikobi Obasi and family. At moment he said no one is aware of their whereabouts .
On our part, we lend our voices to the fact that this incident is a wake up call on religious bodies and civil society groups to redouble their efforts in sensitising the public on the need to eradicate primitive and babaric practices that still exist in some areas of the state.
There is no doubt that many more must be dying in silence. We use this opportunity to call on such victims to speak out before it is too late.
