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by Egbule O.
The
Oribhabor family of Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo
State is currently, in pains and also in a confused state over the
disappearance of their late elder brother's son, Monday Oribhabor.
The
eldest of Oribhabor kindred, Pa. Stevenson Oribhabor revealed this to
Ika Weekly journalists at his residence in Agbor,headquarters of Ika
South Local Government Area. According to him, “The Oribhabor families
have been passing through trauma since the disappearance of Monday, the
only son of their late elder brother and uncle, High Chief Priest,
Sunday Oribhabor whose death occurred February 28, 2015. What led to
Monday’s disappearance was his refusal to take over the role of his late
father because of his Christian faith. Monday, since demise of his late
father has not known peace alongside his mother, Esther Oribhabor who
died mysteriously on the night of November 15, 2015. Esther before her
death was the backbone behind the son’s refusal to accept the decision
of the elders of Irrua Community to take over the position of his late
father and also associate with members of Ogboni Fraternity, a group
her husband led before his death.
Rev. Emonyon, a
Catholic priest in the community who also pleaded that the decision of
Monday should be honoured was removed by petition. Monday fled Irrua,
his fatherland because of the continued threats by the elders of his
community and members of Ogboni Fraternity to sacrifice him to their
gods. Since Monday disappearance after the death of his mother, we, his
family members have not known peace owing to the fact that the elders of
Irrua ctommunity and members of the ogboni fraternity have threatened
to kill him for his refusal to join them so as to use his blood to
appease their gods”.
Pa.
Oribhabor, on behalf of the Oribhabor family declared Monday missing
and appealed to members of the public who have information on his
whereabouts to reach out to them so as to calm down the trauma they are
passing through. He in strong terms condemned the imposition of
religious practice on his late brother’s son, pointing out that the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria granted all the freedom
to belong to any religion and association. He revealed that the
Oribhabors and the police are helpless as it is an issue if not
carefully addressed may lead to crisis in the community because they
believed so much in the gods of their land.
Ika
Weekly newspaper gathered that the Irrua Community High Chief Priestly
position is by inheritance and that by the death of Sunday Oribhabor
that his son Monday Oribhabor is the rightful person to occupy the
vacant stool. Ever since Monday’s disappearance, Irrua Community is said
to have been experiencing bad and dark days of life amongst others and
that a soothsayer has revealed to them that until Monday is found to
ascend the Chief priest position or killed, the community present
predicament wouldn’t be resolved . However, the would-be Chief Priest
had since been declared wanted, even as the Irrua Community has promised
handsome rewards for whoever that will give them useful information
about his whereabouts.
