By O’star Eze
Several Ekwulobia indigenes are recuperating in hospitals and clinics from severe injuries sustained during an unprecedented raid on homes and shrines of traditionalists in Ekwulobia following instructions from Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obinna (Ebube Muonso) during a crusade to mark the New Year in Ekwulobia Township Stadium organized by Ekwulobia Traders and Allied Workers Association, ETAWA.
According to the Chief Security Officer, Ekwulobia Traders and Allied Workers Association, ETAWA, Ugochukwu Anyaorah (King Aju P), “I was stationed near the altar to control the crowd from mobbing the officiating priests, things went out of hand during the crusade when Ebube Muonso commanded everyone to go and bring out all their charms, talisman and idols to be burnt at the venue of the crusade”.
Several youths mobilized themselves and started invading homes of suspected traditionalists, forcefully confiscating their totems and idols and beating up those who resisted them,” he said. He also said that when he inquired why people were beaten up, he was told that it was because they were attacked by some of the traditionalists and they had to defend themselves.
Another eye witness, Ikechukwu Okoye (Budhi), secretary of Umuezeagu clan, Agba-Ekwulobia reported that it was youth present during the crusade that carried out the raid and destroyed the Isigwu shrine located at TRACAS motor park, making away with the chief priest’s money. He added that some of the victims of the attack also had their properties destroyed or made away with. “A brand new bike Anthony Nwosu bought for the wife was carried away by these youths and burnt up and he was beaten to pulp, same with Ejima Agba who was beaten up when he resisted.”
Fr. Emmanuel, however, denied inciting the youths to beat up people or raid people’s homes for idols. He regretted that some people sustained injuries during the event and blamed it on the over exuberance of the youths.
The President General of Ekwulobia Development Union, Emeka Ezeike, when contacted, said his office was informed of the crusade but that he had no knowledge of what transpired as he did not attend the crusade.
Reports reaching Orient Daily has it that the victims are threatening to sue for the damages especially the chairman of Ekwulobia cultural group, though he was not available for questioning as at the time of the report.
A lawyer attached to Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Val Hegel Eze, condemned the act insisting that it was a case of trespass and infringement on people’s fundamental human right. In his words, “How can people’s homes be invaded and their properties destroyed in the name of religion. This is against section 38 of the federal constitution as amended that guarantees one freedom to conscience, belief and right to change religion at will. Why don’t they go to the mosques and attack them and burn their mosques? This is totally unacceptable and I don’t expect such a thing from a civilized society like Ekwulobia.”
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