Panic in Abia community as residents whose photographs were found at a shrine troop to churches for deliverance

By LINUS EFFIONG, Umuahia

The last has not been heard on the discovery of a shrine inside a bush at Amaekpu Ohafia, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

Last week, some youths on hunting expedition reportedly discovered a tree inside a forest at Amaekpu.

Belongings of some people were nailed to the tree by two alleged native doctors, Mr Udensi Ikah, and another unnamed person from Amaekpu Ohafia.

The development sparked tension in not just Amaekpu community but the entire Ohafia area and even adjourning villages as people thronged the scene of the discovery to know if their missing items were among those nailed to the tree.

Daily Trust gathered that the items found in the shrine included pictures of people, under wears, doll babies, shoes, slippers, tied parcels, female gowns, among others.

Also discovered was a list containing people’s names.

A resident told Daily Trust that those whose names were on the list have started going for deliverance.

“Most of those whose photos were identified, have rushed into the bush to retrieve their pictures and even many of them have gone to some churches and other ministries to deliver them from the evil spell associated with the shine,” the resident said.

He also disclosed that some items yet to be retrieved by the owners are still on the tree.

Youths of Amaekpu have concluded plans to cut down the ‘evil tree’ and send the alleged native doctors out of the forest.

In 2020, an alleged Satanic temple belonging to a controversial native doctor, Mr Udo Ifekwe, was discovered and pulled down by youths of Ebem Ohafia.

The founder, Ifekwe Udo, was alleged to be a proponent of Church of Satan.

After the incident, elders and youths of the clan banished Udo from Ohafia land. (Daily Trust)