By Pamela Eboh
A middle aged man was on Wednesday arrested by indigenes of Awka for killing a community deity monkey in Anambra state
The arrest of the man may not be far from the age long tradition in Awka kingdom which abhors the killing of monkey as it is revered to be a sacred animal in the entire Awka kingdom.
Also there is a festival dedicated to the worship of Imo Awka god, which has its shrine in Amaenyi area of the town. The Imo Awka festival symbolizes a monkey, hence klling them is seen as sacrilegious acts.
In the entire Awka kingdom, especially Amenyi village area, monkeys are seen jumping about in people’s compounds without harassment.
In a viral video making the round on social media, the man who was arrested on Wednesday for killing the animal was seen confessing that he has lived in Awka for 24 years, and that he was aware that Awka people neither permit the killing nor eating of monkeys.
He explained that he did not intentionally kill the monkey, rather he had set trap in the bush, hoping to kill other bush meat to be used as delicacy, but unfortunately, it was the monkey that was trapped.
He said: “I know I have committed, please do not kill me, but you can take me anywhere you want.”
The indigenes interrogating him later saw reasons with him, and told him he would not be killed, but that the community will take steps to appease the god of the land because of his actions to avoid repercussions.
