A middle aged man has been arrested by indigenes of Awka, the Anambra State capital, for killing a monkey.
Killing monkeys is seen as sacrilegious act in Awka; where they (the monkeys) are regarded and treated as sacred animals
Awka indigenes have a festival dedicated to the worship of Imo Awka god, which has its shrine in Amaenyi area of the town. The Imo Awka deity is symbolized by a monkey.
In the entire kingdom, it is nothing strange to see monkeys jumping about in people’s compounds without harassment.
The man who was arrested on Wednesday for killing the animal was seen in a viral video confessing that he has lived in Awka for 24 years, and that he was aware that Awka people neither permit the killing nor eating of monkeys.
He explained that he did not intentionally kill the monkey, 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 not clear where the man hailed from, or what his name was.
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