While Christians were celebrating Easter two weeks ago, Abatete community, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, was thrown
into confusion and fear, following the disappearance of the popular Omaliko deity.
Respite, however, came as a police crack team, attached to
the Ogidi Police Division, intercepted a gang which took away the deity.
According to a member of the community, who pleaded for
anonymity, some people entered the shrine, took away the head of
Omaliko deity, its staff of authority and symbol of authority.
The source said the Chief
Priest (Eze Muo) of Omaliko broke the news of the stealing of the deity to
the elders of Abatete community, who immediately reported the theft to the
police.
The source further disclosed that the chief priest told the elders and adherents of Omaliko that
it was possible that those who stole the deity wanted to collect ransom before
its release and expressed surprise that they
were not afraid of the consequences of their action.
However, four persons have been arrested by policemen
attached to Ogidi police station in connection with the stolen deity. A police
source, who pleaded anonymity, said that three young men were arrested for being
in possession of the deity, while the fourth suspect, a pastor, was nabbed
later, and based on the confession of the suspects.
The source said that the suspects confessed that they were
asked to steal the Omaliko deity by a pastor of an undisclosed church,
revealing that the police had returned the deity rescued from the suspects to
elders of Abatete community, while the suspects would be charged to court soon.
Omaliko is one of the popular deities in Anambra State, in
the league of the popular Okija and Ntoko shrines. Yearly, indigenes of Abatete
return home for the annual Omaliko Abatete, linked to the deity.
Source: Sun News Online
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