Killing of cows in Igbo culture: Family Use vs. Title-Taking by Remmy Nweke

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In Igbo society, the killing of cows carries different meanings depending on the context. 

For family use, such as during weddings, funerals, or harvest celebrations, a cow is slaughtered to strengthen kinship and demonstrate hospitality.

The act is a reminder that kinship reveals itself in moments of need, as expressed in the proverb, “Nwanne dị na mba, ọbuna o zuo, o mara onye ga-ebu ya.” Literally, this means that even though there may be good friends in the diaspora or far from home, when the true moment of test arrives, such as when a corpse begins to decay, it will be revealed who must carry it. Friends and well-wishers may withdraw at that point, but true relatives cannot escape the responsibility.

Bama massacre: Families mourn as UN decries killing of over 50 civilians - ITREALMS

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Shock and grief have gripped Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State after suspected non-state armed groups launched a deadly night attack that left more than 50 people dead, homes reduced to ashes, and families torn apart, reports ITREALMS.

Eyewitness accounts describe panic as villagers fled into the darkness, some carrying children, others abandoning belongings as gunmen swept through their community. 

Aba killing of Soldiers: Tinubu urges security agencies to fish out perpetrators - ITREALMS

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria has urged security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack of five military men, but also those calling on people to stay at home, reports ITREALMS.

Tinubu who was reacting to the killing in Aba, Abia State of five soldiers on Thursday, May 30 by suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) operated by Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), described their action their action "treasonable offence."

Anambra: Soludo condoles US Embassy over killing of staff, says 'unaware of humanitarian mission' - ITREALMS

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The Anambra State, the Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and organisations, particularly the US Embassy, over the death of their staff and policemen who were attacked by gunmen along Atani-Osamala Road, Ogbaru Local Government Area on Tuesday, 16th May 2023, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement by the Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Christian Aburime, informed ITREALMS that the government and people of Anambra State were saddened by the killings of US Embassy staff, lamenting bypassing of existing security architecture, insisting that the state government was unaware of the 'humanitarian mission' of the visiting team.

LACMON decries killing of Deborah, David and rising injustice - ITREALMS

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The Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria Lagos Archdiocese (LACMON) has decried the recent killing of Deborah Samuel by her fellow students in Sokoto over accusation of blasphemy, reports ITREALMS.

Deborah was a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto and was killed and burnt for alleged blasphemy.

Killing of 'solder couple' about to wed: A set up to invade Igboland, asks Elochukwu Ohagi - ITREALMS

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Are They Setting Up Ground To Invade Igbo Land And Massacre More People?
The news about the killings of two military officers is not clear. It is questionable. And I still don't know why people are not asking questions.

Questions like...
How did the kị́llers managed to spot this soldiers among many commuters?

INEC suspends CVR exercise in Ihitte-Uboma over killing of staff+video, viewer discretion - ITREALMS

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For the killing of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff in its location, the Commission has suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, reports ITREALMS.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee at INEC, Festus Okoye Esq, in a press statement available to ITREALMS on Thursday evening said that sequel to a report by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Emeka Ezeonu, to the effect that “today, 14th of April 2022, Mr. Nwokorie Anthony, a staff of the Imo State office of the Commission involved in the ongoing CVR exercise, was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area.”

OPC scribe on Okota killing:Ademola not our member - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Publicity Secretary of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, has confirmed that the man killed by the mob on Saturday at Okota, Lagos, is not a member of the Aare Gani Adams-led OPC, reports ITREALMS.

In a statement made available to journalists, Oguntimehin dismissed the report that a member of the group was lyched to death following an attempt by some hoodlums to truncate the election process in Okota, Lagos. 

He said the report at his disposal indicates that a member of the late Faseun's group was killed by an irate mob, following an attempt by some thugs to disrupt election process at the Okota area of Lagos state. 

He, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the group to a peaceful, free, fair and credible elections, saying  OPC of today is totally different from that of the past. 


"I need to say it clearly that Ademola is not a member of our group. Ours is a group of professionals,and well educated members.We have our structure  across the country, and everybody can attest to the fact that the Aare Gani Adams- led members of the OPC are not vagabonds or thugs. 

For a very long time now, we have transited into a brand new OPC, with a clear-cut ideology. And part of our ideologies is to ensure peace, across the country,most especially, in the south west." 

Oguntimehin, urged Nigerians to remain peaceful till the end of the election process. 

"From the turnouts of people across the country, I think Nigerians are committed to this democracy. We have started well, and I will urge all the electorate to remain peaceful,by cooperating with the police, so as to ensure a free, fair and credible election." he said. 

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Son attempts killing mother for yahoo plus - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Lagos suburb of Ayobo was on Sunday greeted with the gory sight of a helpless mother whose face and skull was badly battered by her son in his attempt to advance his cyber fraud business (yahoo, yahoo) to the bloody or ritual level  (yahoo plus), reports ITREALMS.

According to Police source, the incident took place about 0830hrs on Sunday at No.2 Raji Ajanaku street, Alaja Road, Ayobo, Lagos, inside the flat the suspect, Taiwo Akinola, age 29 years lived with his mother, Mrs Alice Iyabo Akinola and her grandchild Master Faruk, age 14 years. 

ITREALMS confirmed that in a carefully thought out plans to kill his mother, Taiwo, said to be staunch member of the notorious Aiye confraternity,  went to the victim's  provision store in front of their apartment and told his mother to meet him inside the house for an important discussion and at same time sent his nephew, Faruk to go buy him a white handkerchief and a stick of cigarette.

As soon as the victim entered the house, the suspect attacked her, smashing her head with a plank, pressing iron and a UPS charger to ensure she didn't survive the ferocious attack.

When Faruk returned from the errand, he didn't see his grandmother in the shop so he went into the house only to see the poor woman lying in a pool of blood. Shocked by what he saw, the small boy raised the alarm which attracted neighbours to the scene.

They called the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ayobo Division who arrived the scene with his team and promptly arrested the suspect and secured the scene for further investigation by the police forensic experts attached to the Homicide section SCIID Panti, Yaba .

The victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment and was found to be hanging onto life. Right now, the doctors are battling to revive Mrs Alice Akinola presently unconscious . Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, was reported to had paid the initial hospital cost which  enabled the doctors to commence treatment.

During a brief interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he was asked to kill his mother in order to have more money. When his room was searched, the following exhibits were recovered in it, viz:

1. Two calabashes with one containing human skull and the other, a mixture of dark concoction;

2. A plank perforated with  nails and  stained with blood;

3. A pressing iron stained with blood;

4. A white handkerchief with which he wanted to scoop the victim's blood;

5. A bottle containing oil and labelled Back To Sender;

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal calls on Lagosians to rise against all forms of crime and criminality. He added that the Command defeated the Badoo cult group with the help of  people who provided credible and timely  information to the police . He added that the time has come to root out the street cult groups. He notes that complacency is not an option in the face of threat to peace and security  posed by these nefarious associations.

*Correspondent/GEE

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South Africa: Dabiri-Erewa laments killing of 2 Nigerians in 8 days, wants EWS reviewed

ITREALMS:

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has lamented the latest killings of two Nigerians in eight days, reports ITRealms.

She also called for an urgent review of the Early Warning Signal (EWS) put in place by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and South Africa early last year. Stressing that Nigeria must speed up the process of finalising its implementation by South Africa.

Apparently disturbed by the latest killings of two young Nigerians in South Africa, the Presidential aide said the review and urgent implementation became imperative as the attacks in South Africa are not reducing but instead increasing at an alarming rate.

A press statement made available to ITRealms by her Media Aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, she said the efforts that led to the establishment of the EWS by both countries are not working, ``as the present mechanisms seem to do little or nothing to prevent the occurrences of these killings’’.

Dabiri-Erewa once again appealed to Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm and shelve their proposed mass protest and await immediate intervention from both countries to stop the killings and bring the culprits to justice.

She noted that while four South African policemen are already on trial for allegedly killing Nigerians in South Africa, it is imperative that anyone found culpable must be punished.

It will be recalled that the Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Habib Miller, told newsmen that two additional Nigerians were killed in South Africa in the past eight days.

Miller identified the latest victims as Francis Ochuba, a native of Ngodo community in the Umnneochi Local Government Area of Abia and Chidi Ibebuike, a native of Uturu in the Isikwuato Local Government Area also in Abia.

“Ochuba, a property owner, was shot dead alongside his estate agent, a female South African on May 5. They were shot dead as they visited the tenant occupying Ochuba’s house to collect rent.

“The incident occurred in Central Johannesburg, while Ibebuike was shot dead at the entrance to his house at Hazyview in Mpumalanga on May 13.

“Ibebuike’s car was subsequently, snatched by yet to be identified gunmen.

“The chairman of the Nigeria Union in Mpumalanga Province, Mr Amadi in company of other compatriots, has reported the incident to the South African police authorities and investigation is underway.”

ITRealms recalls that estimated 800,000 Nigerians, mostly young people, reside in South Africa, according to unofficial estimates.

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Police arrest six over kidnap, killing of Catholic priest, Fr. Onunkwo

ITRealms:

The Police in Imo State has confirmed the arrested of some six suspects over the kidnapping and killing of Reverend Father Cyriacus Onunkwo barely a week after, including a Police Corporal, reports ITRealms.

The Imo State police command, ITRealms reports, Friday afternoon paraded five suspected kidnappers and killers of Father Cyriacus Onunkwo. 

ITRealms recalls that the deceased was kidnapped on Friday, September 1st in Orlu Local Government Area in the state and his body was later discovered in a bush in Omuma Village, Oru East Local Government Area on Saturday, September 2, 2017.  
                     
According to the Police, “the suspects have confessed to the crime. One of them is a Police Corporal. They said he died out of suffocation, given that they cello-taped his mouth and nose. Six of them were arrested. First person was arrested at Control Post, Owerrı. Another was arrested at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.”

The Police noted that the ring leader is from Ukwu-Ukwa village, Azia in Anambra State. One is from Okwelle, Onuimo LGA, Imo State. One is from Obowo and others are from other neighboring States. They were tracked through Father's phone number. 

Nweke Ozo Nweke/GEE

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STOP! Kidnapping, killing Catholic priests

Weekend Sermon@ITRealms:

After a deep reflection over the past few days on the death of Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo, was killed by supposed kidnappers, I sat down to write this just to beg the killers of priests to STOP.

I would have written this on the Feast of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, but it’s like Chris just wanted this now.

Priest dresses decently, looks good and for those who have cars, they keep their cars neat, the way the priest encourage the faithful at times makes people imagine whether they have any problem and whether they will ever have any in life ... Priests’ own world  seems better? Noooooo! So many of the priests are carrying loads of worries.

So many are suffering; so many can't let out these worries just because these problems are so overwhelming that they may even get faithfuls discouraged. Just like his bad behaviour may affect the faith of the faithfuls too. So many priests suffer daily and die daily with their worries and pains.

Who will they complain to?

Do not envy him because you see him living in a parish mansion that does not belong to him, drive a car owned by the parish or a car bought for him and fueled by friends. Eats food provided by good hearted faithfuls. When many see these, they thought that all is well with him ... your are wrong. Go close to him and plead to God that the priest opens up and tell you his worries.

My dear friends, things are not all well for the priesthood. Priests have their own problems. So many are sick, some do not feed well, some cannot even buy clothing for themselves; so many cannot afford fueling their cars much more maintaining the car you see them drive. They all depend on the charity of good hearted Christians.

Why kill, kidnap a priest?

Do you hope to get a dime from him? Oh my God. Do you think he is rich? Don’t be deceived. We are not rich. Stop killing us. What have we done? We become priest to serve you … to help you know God, open windows of salvation for you and your families.

We become priests to bring you closer to God, to help you get a place in Heaven, instead of allowing you to die in sin and end up in hell. We become priests to save your soul, to help you receive the sacraments, whenever you are born, baptize, when you are sick, sacrament of anointing of the sick, when you have sinned, sacrament of penance; when you are ready to take up a wife or husband … sacrament of matrimony.

To administer to you the sacrament of the Eucharist to energize you as you journey in faith and most importantly, to call down Jesus Christ daily in the Eucharist to come dwell in and around you to fulfill His promise of “I will be with you till the end of time.”

Stop killing us, we have no wife, no children and at times, families even abandon us. So many see us as wolves, so many want to devour us. We are daily misunderstood. Agreed that we are not Saints but weak humans who are prone to human mistakes, so please stop killing us.

So many insults us, we hardly sleep in the night because we are at prayers for you. Few years ago, Fr. Nnabuife was gruesomely murdered too.

In many parishes today, so many of the criminal minded parish council chairmen and women even turned diabolical against the priests. So many Christian murderers see nothing good about the priest. The priest is not a Saint. He has weaknesses, but can you allow who called him to judge him?

God’s judgment starts with teachers of which the priest is number one, so he is to be the first to face God's judgment on the last day. Why take him out of the world forcefully? What has he done to you? Stop killing us.

*Courtesy/pix: @Fr. Alexander U. Okere of Owerri Archdiocese, and edited by GEE@ITRealms.

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