By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Residents and road users in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, were thrown into confusion and mild panic on Tuesday morning following the sudden appearance of a strange, deity-like object positioned on a busy road axis.
The object, described by many as non-ordinary was reportedly sighted at Majuo Junction along Zik’s Avenue in Umudioka Village, Awka South Local Government Area, where it was initially placed at the center of the road.
Eyewitnesses said the deity, wrapped in white cloth and adorned with a handbag and a broom, created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, as motorists and pedestrians reportedly slowed down, diverted, or kept a cautious distance while approaching the spot.
It was further gathered that the object was first positioned in the middle of the road, obstructing movement and causing visible panic among commuters, before a yet-to-be-identified individual reportedly summoned the courage to move it to the roadside to ease traffic flow.
This was corroborated in a video shared by a netizen, Chukwunenye Nweke, currently circulating on social media, showing the object standing upright by the roadside, still draped in white fabric, with a broom placed on its head and a cross-body handbag hanging from its shoulder.
In the video, the narrator expressed confusion over the origin and purpose of the deity; although no one in the area appeared willing to offer any explanation. He further questioned whether the act could be connected to recent efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal in the area.
It was gathered that Majuo Junction had previously been notorious for refuse dumping, prompting intensified enforcement and warnings against the practice. This has led to speculations among some residents that the placement of the deity could be a symbolic or fear-inducing measure aimed at deterring and diabolically punishing environmental offenders.
However, no official statement has been issued by relevant authorities or community leaders regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report.
The unusual development has sparked off a chain of reactions across social media platforms, with many expressing shock, curiosity, and concern over such a strange and unsettling occurrence on a major road within the state capital.
While some users interpreted the act as fetish or ritualistic, others dismissed it as a mere stunt or local tactic to enforce environmental discipline, which further showcases the uncertainty and mixed perceptions surrounding the incident.
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