By Chinaka Duruiheoma
The quest for a 20 year-old boy, Arinze Ukole to become the most powerful native doctor in Oru has left him and four other members of his family dead.
Our reporter gathered that following the boy’s action, the sleepy village of Umuejike Amaokpara Amiri Autonomous community in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State was jolted last week following the death of five members of Ukole family who dropped dead one after the other after eating meat prepared by Arinze after sacrifice.
Other members of Ukole family who died alongside Arinze included his father, Romanus Ukole, his sister, Ukamaka Ukole and two others.
It was gathered that Arinze had wanted to become one of the most powerful dibia (native doctor) in the area and to fulfil his dream, he approached a woman named Adaku, selling spiritual materials at Orie Omuma, who took him to a shrine in Okija where a sacrifice was performed for him and power given to him.
Family sources told our reporter that Arinze returned home with a goat which he killed and extended to family members to join him.
However, trouble started after seven members of the Ukole family were said to have eaten the meat and began their journey to the great beyond. It was learnt that Arinze’s father first gave up the ghost in the night while Arinze’s sister, Ukamaka joined him the next day before Arinze confessed and joined them two days later.
Four other persons were said to have been rushed to another native doctor within the area where two more persons were confirmed dead, while two others were still in coma.
Village sources told newsmen that what killed the family members was the evil spirit Arinze brought into the family in his quest to become rich and great overnight.
When newsmen visited the family, it was learnt that two persons had already been buried. However, the family members refused to talk to our reporter, saying before they would talk, they would make wider family consultations because they were not happy with what happened.
One of them, Mr. Innocent Ukole, who said he was not the right person to speak to the press on behalf of the family, however denied that five persons died in the whole saga. He did not however tell our reporter what transpired.
Another member of the family who refused to mention his name, told our reporter that the family was ashamed of the whole saga and did not have the face to admit what had happened.
Our reporter also visited Oru East Council headquarters, Omuma but could not speak with the transition committee chairman of the council, Barr. Evaristus Duru, who was said to be away on official assignment.
However, one of the senior workers in the council who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter that it was only four persons that died in the incident and that officials of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri had already visited the family to check if they victims died as a result of Lassa Fever, but result showed otherwise.
He told our reporter that the whole incident was caused by the young boy, Arinze who wanted to be rich quick through native medical practice.
When contacted, the State commissioner of police, Chris Ezike said he was yet to receive such information and promised to get back to our reporter later.
Meanwhile, youths of the village were said to be gearing up to attack the woman, Adaku, who took Arinze to Okija to bring evil spirit upon his family.
