AKUAKHUAI (OREDO) – Mysterious deaths have hit Akhuakhuai community in OREDO Local Government Area of Edo State, with the death of three persons.
It was gathered that the calamity may not be unconnected with the failure of the community to perform the Izakhue festival, an annual sacrifice to appease the gods of the land.
The nonperformance of the festival, it was gathered may not be unconnected with the controversies over refusal of the Priest designate of Ayelala shrine in Akhuakhuai community to assume the position since the demise of the last priest, Erhunmwunse Abel Iyamu.
The Priest designate, it was gathered failed to assume the position following the death of the last two priests under mysterious circumstances.
Their father, Chief Osemwegie Iyamu had died in 2007, while his successor son, Erhunmwunse Abel Iyamu who assumed the position in 2014 died on April 17, 2016.
Consequently, the Late Chief Iyamu’s second son, Isreal Nosawaru Iyamu was elected to take over, but has been evasive, saying the position conflicts with his Christian faith.
He was also said to be apprehensive that he may die mysteriously like the two former priests.
The Nigerian OBSERVER reliably gathered that part of the rituals preferring his installation as the new priest is the circumcision of his daughter (Ivie Elizabeth Iyamu), which he also kicked against.
This development, which did not go down well with the elders of the community, it was scooped, pitched Isreal against members of the community, with the youths mobilising to destroy his house.
Presently, our reporter gathered that the community is in disarray as a new priest cannot be installed when the designate is alive.
This position, it was gathered was further compounded with the absconding of Isreal, with members of his family from the community.
