Okija Shrine or Ogwuwu Akpu is a dreaded shrine[1] located in Okija, a town in Ihiala local government of Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria.[2] On 3 August 2004, the shrine was invaded by a team of policemen led by former Anambra State Commissioner of Police Felix Ogbaudu who arrested over 40 native doctors, keepers and attendants.[3] Over 70 dead human bodies and skulls were discovered in the premise of the shrine.[4]

History

Okija Shrine was a dispute settlement shrine where people with personal, land and business issues go to in order to seek adjudication by the gods.[5] But as Mrs Bridget Obi, an Okija native & former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Anambra State pointed out “what happened there [in recent times, that led the police to invade the place] was not the culture of our people. Traditional religion was not what we saw in that place. What we saw was just barbaric dehumanisation.”[6][7]

Relationship with Nigerian politicians

Over the years, Okija Shrine is believed to have been patronized by influential Nigerian politicians.[8] In 2003, it was revealed that former Anambra State governor, Chris Ngige visited the shrine in the company of Chris Uba to swear an oath of allegiance to his "political godfathers" on winning the 2003 Anambra State gubernatorial election.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ "The return of Okija Dreaded shrine resurrects 15 years after causing national uproar". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2019-12-20. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  2. ↑ Aloysius Obiwulu (2008). The Paranormal, the Occult and the Society. Delta Publications.
  3. ↑ "CHRIS NGIGE, THE GOVERNOR WHO SWORE OATHS NAKED AT OKIJA VOODOO SHRINE, SIGNED RESIGNATIONS". NEWSRESCUE. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Deon Maas (1 April 2011). Witboy in Africa. Tafelberg. pp. 122–. ISBN 978-1-920323-61-5.
  5. ↑ Ellis, Stephen (November 2008). "The Okija Shrine: Death and Life in Nigerian Politics". The Journal of African History. 49 (3): 445–466. doi:10.1017/S0021853708003940. ISSN 1469-5138.
  6. ↑ "Okija shrine saga became a blessing in disguise –Obi, Anambra ex-commissioner who inspected site with 70 corpses, skulls". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  7. ↑ Ujumadu, Vincent (2019-08-07). "Nigeria: How Bad Road Brought Okija Shrine to Its Knees". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  8. ↑ "Understanding The Okija Shrine Phenomenon And The Art Of Mental Poisoning: Just Before The Rush To Judgement. By Emmanuel U Obi". Gamji. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  9. ↑ The News. Independent Communications Network Limited. January 2010.
  10. ↑ Benjamin Obi Nwabueze (2007). How President Obasanjo Subverted Nigeria's Federal System. Gold Press. ISBN 978-978-070-237-3.

Further reading

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