Four communities in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have gone back to their roots, invoking ancient customs and ancestral sanctions to curb the rising wave of crime in the land.
According to the Traditional leaders of Uburu, Etiti Uburu, Enu-Uburu and Nweze Uburu communities, anyone found guilty of theft, vandalism, ritual killings, kidnapping and other criminal acts would face ancestral consequences.
Traditional ruler of Enu-Uburu Autonomous Community, His Royal Highness Eze Godwin Okoro Akpandu, De Ibom Eze II made this known to newsmen at his palace on Saturday.
According to the monarch, the decision followed extensive consultations with residents who unanimously endorsed the reactivation of long-standing cultural institutions to safeguard lives and property.
“We have invoked the ancient customs and ancestral sanctions handed down by our forefathers against anyone who engages in theft, vandalism, ritual killings, kidnapping and other criminal activities. The people unanimously agreed that this was necessary to restore sanity and protect our communities,” Eze Akpandu said..
He explained that the rites involved chief priests, elders and financial contributions from members of the four communities. The sanctions, he noted, cover diabolical killings, housebreaking, vandalism of public facilities, conspiracy to kidnap and other acts capable of causing insecurity.
The royal father lamented the increasing cases of ritual killings, theft of public infrastructure and use of harmful charms, saying such practices had eroded the moral values for which Uburu was once known. Eze Akpandu stressed that the exercise was not directed at any person but was meant as a deterrent..
“Our forefathers left us these traditional institutions to preserve morality, justice and peaceful coexistence. We have only activated what has existed from time immemorial to confront the disturbing rise in criminality,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about religion, the monarch said the measures align with Christian and other religious values.
“Christianity condemns stealing, murder and other forms of evil. What we have done is not against any religion. It is aimed at discouraging crime and ensuring that anyone who violates our communal values faces the consequences according to our tradition,” he said.
He also dismissed fears of manipulation, noting that the process required collective agreement of elders and chief priests. “Anyone who attempts to abuse it will bear the consequences according to our customs,” he added.
The traditional ruler clarified that the exercise was not tied to the recent death of late Miss Mary Habila, but a broader initiative to prevent insecurity and promote harmony.
He urged other communities across Ebonyi and the South-East to strengthen cultural values as partners in community policing.
In an interview with some of the Community members, including Mr. Akpa Nnamdi, they hail the action of the traditional rulers, saying they hope the ancestral invocation will return Uburu to its reputation as a peaceful and morally upright community. They, however, call on Nigeria government to return to promoting culture, which will help to sanitize the society and reduce crime drastically in the country.
