A middle-aged man was on Wednesday arrested by indigenes of Awka, Anambra State capital, for killing a monkey. The arrest of the man may not be far from the age-long tradition in Awka kingdom which abhors the killing of monkeys, which are revered as sacred animals in the entire Awka kingdom.
The town has an annual festival dedicated to the worship of Imo Awka god, which has its monkey infested shrine in Amaenyi area of the town. The Imo Awka festival symbolises a monkey, hence killing of it is seen as a sacrilegious acts In the entire Awka kingdom, especially Amenyi village area like Amenyi Girls Secondary School, 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 for killing the animal was seen confessing that he has lived in Awka for 24 years, and was aware that Awka people neither permit the killing nor eating of monkeys.
He explained that he did not kill the monkey intentionally, 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. It was however not clear where the man hailed from, or what his identity was.
