By In a dramatic and spiritually potent ceremony, the people of Issele-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, have invoked ancestral forces through the traditional Ine Ubi ritual to place powerful curses on kidnappers, armed robbers, and other perpetrators of evil troubling the land.
The solemn procession, which began at the Royal Palace, featured all nine villages of the Issele-Uku Kingdom—Ukpai, Idumuinei, Ogbe-Ofu, Ogbeowele, Ogboli, Idumuahaba, Ute, Ogbe-Utu and Umueze-Issei—united in purpose and grief.
Each group carried palm sticks, chaplets, and Bibles as they pronounced curses upon those disturbing the peace of their once serene and hospitable homeland.
After a private meeting with his chiefs, Omu, Eze-Dibie and titled elders, His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Nduka, emerged to address the crowd at the palace forecourt.
With visible frustration, he explained that the Ine Ubi ritual—rare and reserved for desperate times—was being revived to spiritually cleanse the land and send a clear warning to criminals and their enablers.
“This is not our usual path, but we can no longer fold our arms,” the monarch declared.
“Issele-Uku has always been known for peace and hospitality. Today, we are invoking the justice of our ancestors on those who choose to destroy what we stand for.”
Chief Egbo Adigwe, the Chi-Obi of the Kingdom, read out a list of crimes afflicting the land—from kidnapping to planting charms and aiding criminal networks.
At each mention, the people struck the ground in symbolic anger, condemning each offence with collective curses.
The procession continued beyond the palace, led by the Ogbelani of Issele-Uku, Diokpa Isimchei Okonkwo, toward the Afor market, where further curses were laid.
In a brief media interaction, Obi Nduka stressed that while collaboration with government and security forces remains ongoing, the community must also play its part.
“We are not saying government has failed, but they must do more. Security is a constitutional duty.
“Meanwhile, our tradition compels us to act when evil becomes unbearable.”
He added, “Whoever is guilty among us must prepare for the consequences. The spirits of our land do not sleep.”
The Ine Ubi ceremony marks a cultural turning point for Issele-Uku, signalling a deep-rooted spiritual resistance against the forces of lawlessness and a renewed commitment to protecting the soul of the community.
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