By Chukwudumebi Norbert ATTA
Introduction
Two horrible events in Enugu State, the famed land of the wawapeople, revered until recently for the good-naturedness sometimes taken as naivety (by some of its neighbours), necessitated this piece. The two frightful events were the ‘alleged’ (yes, it is still alleged till the courts declare otherwise!) discovery and destruction that followed a failed attempt by some ‘alleged’ kidnappers in Ezeagu Local Government Area and another in Ibagwa, in Igbo Eze South Local government Area of the State. The two cases are as horrifying as they are unbelievable, since they involve claims of odoriferous means of money-making, including human sacrifices, and a strong link to the two popular religions in the state – African traditional religion (in the case of the Ezeagu where the alleged ring-leader of the protagonists is a traditional religionist, and Christianity (as seen in the Ibagwa case where a so-called pastor is at the centre of the “allegations”). This write-up does not intend to comment on a large chunk of allegations about the cases, since the investigations are still ongoing, there are still claims and counter-claims from the different sides on the cases, and even while the State government is making efforts, or so it claims, to confront the purveyors of such disturbing occurrences in the State, there are no definite conclusion yet on either the details of the cases nor punishments of the perpetrators (beyond the mowing down of houses and destruction of properties). It is more from a religious perspective that this essay is asking: In whose names are the criminals and charlatans involved in the ”alleged” cases of ritual-killings and/or occultism, and the likes, acting? Or which god/God are they serving? Is it a God/god known to ndi Enugu or a foreign god? If it is an “old” god, why is it only now manifesting its fangs — at a time of growing religiosity and undeniable poverty? If it is a foreign god, how and when did it get such a foothold to unleash such disturbing scenes and stories about the generally loving and welcoming Enugu people? These are but some of the questions occasioned by the gory, blood-chilling discoveries and stories in the Ezeagu and Ibagwa cases.
Are We Indeed Religious?
There are no paucity of write-ups underscoring the religiosity of Ndigbo (the Igbo people of Nigeria) as a whole. In fact, both the resilience of the pre-Christianity religions in Igboland today (including the disturbing claims or attempts by some Igbos for a return-to-traditional religion) as well as the observable spread of Christianity among the Igbos have been attributed to the religiosity of the Igbo people. Enugu people as Igbos share in these claims and characterization of Ndigbo. The people’s religiosity is quite glaring, as seen both in the old (and newer!) shrines and Churches too, dotting the length and breathe of the state.
Actually the people’s religiosity could be said to be deeply rooted in the people’s cultural and historical identity. Aspects of the religiosity of the people includes their belief in a supreme known by such names as Chi, Chukwu, Olisa, or Chineke; their reverence for ancestors, deities, and natural forces, and active participation in religious activities in their communities and churches. Observably, the religiosity of Ndigbohas further fuelled the syncretistic practices or a sort of dilution of traditional Igbo spirituality and the authenticity of Christian faith, that has seen scholars still debating issues like its appropriateness or otherwise, to the people’s cultural heritage.
The truth on Igbo religiosity today includes that while Christianity remains the dominant religion among the Igbos, that there is no denying that elements of traditional religion and spirituality, still influence the people’s life and religious practices. These two religions – traditional religion/spirituality and Christianity, create or help in to maintain a more communal, collaborative and human values-oriented, lifestyle among the people, especially at community level (since urbanization continues to influence lives in the city). But beyond the picture painted above, one is wont to ask: against the backlash of recent ritual-killing-related occurrences in Enugu, whether the people are truly religious?
How Did We Get Here?
That the Igbos (including ndiwawa) are religious is not in question going by such indices as beliefs, practices and claims about religion, among the people. Nevertheless, the people’s religiosity is grossly questioned by the recent happenings.
Thusly, there are reports of the ritual killings allegedly involving Obi Levi (a possible Christian name!) ObiezeEzeani, a native doctor, in Ezeagu Local Government Area, Enugu State. Ezeani, and who is also referred to as E Dey Play, E Dey Show, and the many allegations and claims around it – like the alleged cases of kidnapping, killings, money-making rituals, all raise questions on the religiosity or religiousness of/in his actions. Its notable that the allegation is rife that it was the abduction and rescue of a 13-year-old girl from a shrine linked to him, where she was allegedly being prepared for ritual purposes, that led to further discoveries of items, including decomposing bodies buried in a concrete-sealed pit within an uncompleted building and others that exposed the inhuman, and certainly irreligious practices, that went on in his shrine/place, and allegedly leading to the outrage by the angry youths in the community who burned down Ezeani’s residence.
The tragic incident that happened in in Ibagwa-Aka, in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area in Enugu, is not a palatable story either. It reads like a page from a horror novel. The case which involved allegedly a Prophet ChineduEzedike, linked him to the gruesome murder of four siblings in the area (Ibagwa-Aka). According to the allegations, the Mr Ezedike is a Christian ‘prophet’ who conducts worship/prayer for people, but when a family could not find their four children the search from the people and the police led Ezedike’s place (his home and church), where following a police raid on his uncompleted church building items including human skull and other objects were found. Following the discovery, as alleged, the state government went ahead to demolish the site of the alleged crime.
Thesetwo happening raises the question about the religiosity of the actions of both men in the stories– who while claiming to be an adherent of the two main religions in Igboland (Enugu State inclusive!) – that is, traditional Igbo religion or spirituality and Christianity, allegedly carried out, commissioned, or took part in the killing of others, for whatever purposes. Their actions is neither supported by the pro-human being nature of traditional Igbo spirituality nor by the teachings of Christianity, including both religions abhorrence for the spilling of human blood or the taking of human life, for whatever purpose. So, the question: which religion supports the actions or activities of “Ezeani” and “Ezedike”(and their cohorts)? Certainly, the answer is that none of the two popular religions in Igboland supports the dastardly act of ritual-killing-related activities in the name of any religion.
Toward Arresting the Disturbing Situation
The above disturbing situations in Enugu, like elsewhere where they occur, deserves immediate response, both from the State and the citizenry. Thus, while nothing can be done to bring back to life any victim of the alleged killings, much could be done to forestall a recurrence or continuance of such dastardly acts. Available information reports the efforts of the Barr Peter Mbah led government to stop any such happening, by sending a bill to the House of Assembly detailing dire punishments for perpetrators of such acts under whatever guise. Even before the House of Assembly assents to the Bill (which they have not done at the time of the submission of this write-up), the decision of the State government points to its interest in protecting the citizenry, via giving legal backing to its fight against ritual-killing, and ritualists. One observes at this juncture, that there is no downplaying the decision on the part of the government to make laws to address such ugly occurrence. Nevertheless, one would ask: Is the government’s effort enough?
The government alone cannot address the situation, particularly stopping it from happening again. The situation where people in the name of whatever god or deity, spill the blood or take the lives of others, is an issue that should concern all. To this end, both the religionists, especially the adherents of the two major religions in the State, have so much to do. So also have all the other citizens too. The custodians of the various religions in wawalandand Igboland (in general) – traditional and Christianity, should pay greater attention to what “adherents” of their religions are doing. To this end, a strong collaboration between the enforcement agencies and the religious leaders should be the rule, not exception. The leaders or adherents of the different religions should be ever ready to report, and follow up, any untoward practices by its members. The criminality of hiding under one religion or the other, to commit hideous crimes by individual(s), could be stopped or reduced when there exists synergy between the State and the religions, towards weeding off the bad eggs.
Also the long held security rule of: see something, say something should be inculcated and activated around Enugu State. Safe and free lines should be provided by the security agencies to this end, where concerned citizens would be free to report illegal, occult and suspicious gathering to the requisite authorities, not always for arrest but even for closer monitoring and investigation. If there had been earlier reports about the alleged activities of Ezeaniand Ezedikeand their ilk, occurrences like the recent ones (in Enugu) could have been stopped earlier.
Finally, the recent developments calls for serious reflection among ndi Enugu and ndi Igbo about the place of morality and uprightness in our society. There is an observable downplaying of virtue and highlighting of riches in our society today. Such hyping of wealth continues to push our people, especially the young ones, to drift away towards doing anything to be rich, and being easy prey to the antics of the likes of the Ezeaniand Ezedike. It is time that all communities, and Churches too, ask questions about the source of the riches of their donors, and make what efforts within its power, to avoid illicit acquisition of wealth by its members. Such actions as above, would reduce the tendencies of many persons, or any person, to indulge in money-making rituals like the alleged cases under review.
Conclusion
The recent alleged cases of alleged ritual killings (for money and popularity, maybe) in Enugu State is a source of worry for both the government and the populace. The swift reaction of the government and the people, including in the arrest of some of those involved, destruction of their houses and properties, enacting of laws to punish such in the future and the likes. Nevertheless it has left many in, and from the State scared and traumatised, including the unbelievable story of a pregnant woman “buried alive” in a concrete pit and the heartless killing of innocent children. These happenings are challenges for the state and its citizens, and underscore the need for strong effort from the government and the different members of Enugu State, including religious groups, to combat the ugly development and restore sanity and security in the State. It is no doubt that only strong collaboration among all in the State at can stop such an ugly situation from arising again.
Comment here