An 82-year-old man has been banished from Umuizu, Okwulaga Afaraukwu Ibeku, in Umuahia, Abia State, after community members accused him of attempting to bury charms on another person’s farmland and he allegedly confessed to killing relatives.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 17, when residents reportedly caught the man attempting to bury objects believed to be charms on the farmland. Community youths subsequently took him to the palace of the traditional ruler, Eze Edward Ibeabuchi, for deliberations.
The monarch said the decision to expel the elderly man was taken by the community, not by him personally.
“I did not banish anybody. The community banished him. The community was not happy with him,” Ibeabuchi said.
He added that when he questioned the man about reports that he had killed his brothers, the elderly man allegedly admitted to the claims and pleaded for forgiveness.
The monarch said the community instructed the man to leave and not return, expressing sadness over the incident because of the man’s age and his relationship with the family.
Ibeabuchi also said he had been uncertain about the man’s mental state during the encounter.
A community source claimed the man led residents to places where he allegedly carried out the acts and identified items connected to the allegations. The claims have not been independently verified.
The traditional ruler was also said to have intervened to prevent the man from being lynched. His wife and children reportedly later thanked the monarch for helping to protect him.
In his remarks following the incident, Ibeabuchi urged residents to uphold peace, mutual respect and unity, warning against actions that could create fear and division within the community.
As of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the police had begun an investigation. Efforts to reach the Abia State Police Command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, for comment were unsuccessful.
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