A man in his middle age has been apprehended by locals in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, for the unlawful killing of a monkey.
The act of killing monkeys is considered sacrilegious in Awka, where these animals are revered and regarded as sacred beings. Awka residents even celebrate a festival dedicated to the worship of the Imo Awka god, whose shrine is located in the Amaenyi area of the town, symbolized by a monkey.
Throughout the kingdom, it is common to see monkeys freely roaming in people’s compounds without any disturbance.
The man, arrested on Wednesday for the incident, confessed in a viral video that he had been a resident of Awka for 24 years and was well aware of the community’s strict prohibition against killing or consuming monkeys. He explained that he had set traps in the bush with the intention of capturing other wild game for consumption, but unfortunately, a monkey became ensnared instead.
In his plea, he expressed remorse for his actions, begging not to be harmed but willing to face any consequences.
After interrogating the man, the locals decided not to harm him but emphasized the need to appease the land’s deity due to his transgression to avert any potential repercussions.
The man’s origin and identity remain unclear at this time.