Okija: Why IG Shunned Ngige, By Olakpe
Bishop says his curse exposed the cultists
From George Oji in Abuja and Christopher Isiguzo in Owerri
Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Com-missioner of Police Mr. Chris Olakpe explained yesterday that the inability of Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, to meet Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State during the former's visit to the three shrines in Okija on Wednesday was not intended to slight the governor.
Also yesterday, the General Overseer of Overcomers Christian Mission in Owerri, Bishop Alexander Ekenuba attributed the revelation of the killings in Ogwugwu Akpu shrine to the curses he inflicted on the shrine keepers last year.
Speaking with THISDAY in Abuja yesterday, Olakpe said Balogun's visit to Anambra was purely for investigation purpose and not courtesy visit.
"IG went to the scene of the crime, it was a busy time for him. Not time to go on courtesy call. There is difference between official visit and investigation visit. In investigation, you go to the scene of the crime," Olakpe said.
The explanation came amidst ripples created in security circles over Balogun's inability to meet with Ngige, the chief security officer of the state during his visit.
While condemning Balogun's actions, some security operatives explained to THISDAY that protocol pre-supposed that Balogun ought to have first called on Ngige, who would in turn accompany him (Balogun) to the crime scenes.
Aside from not meeting with the governor, the IG also spent the night in Enugu, outside Anambra State.
While in Okija, Balogun visited three shrines including, Ogwugwu Isuila, Ogwugwu Akpu and Ogwugwu Idigo shrines.
Balogun has, however, directed Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Isreal Ajao to provide 24 hour security for Mr. Obed Igwe, the police informant who blew the lid on the Okija shrine saga.
Balogun's directives was in response to allegations made by Igwe that some people were threatening his life.
"Igwe called the IG to complain that since the Okija saga, he has received four letters of threat. As a result, the IG has directed the police in Lagos to provide Igwe with adequate security," one of the Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIG) told THISDAY.
Also, the police announced that a total of 43 suspects have been arrested over their alleged roles in the Okija saga. The number rose from the initial 30 priests in police custody with the arrest of 13 worshippers and the manhunt for 12 others.
But speaking at a press conference in his church premises in Owerri, Bishop Ekwuba said that he met face-to-face with 20 Ogwugwu Okija priests last year following the death of a member of his church who the priests claimed to have killed.
"A member of my church in Awo-Omamma, Imo State died in July 2003. His younger brother claimed that it was Ogwugwu Okija that killed him and reported to these wicked priests.
"They threatened to take his corpse and property to the shrine, but when I heard about that, I warned them not to try that nonsense, and later on August 2, 2003, I personally went to the town and buried the brother.
"I disgraced about 20 Ogwugwu Okija priests who came there that day to take the man's corpse and property to the shrine. I even took away a new fridge which the deceased children bought for them out of fear. I called upon God on that occasion to kill them and burn their shrines if they refuse to repent after a year.
"Exactly one year after, God dealt with them according to my prayer. He has exposed them," the Bishop said and appealed to the Inspector General of Police, to ensure that any of the suspects proved to have a hand in the killing of people whose bodies were found in the shrines faced the full weight of the law.
The cleric became prominent following his alleged involvement in the Otokoto saga in Owerri in 1996 when a human skull was found in his church.
He also alerted the police of the activities of mortuary attendants who he claimed were in the habit of selling human parts to ritualists while water used in bathing corpses were also sold to hoteliers.
He said serious effort should be made to monitor and investigate these group of people to find out their involvement in human parts trafficking, ritualism and occultism which is currently holding sway in the country. He explained that most of his converts who were once native doctors had testified to that effect.
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