Man Beaten For Allegedly Killing Sacred Snake In Anambra: Senator Condemns Attack, Demands Justice

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria — A shocking case of mob justice has emerged from Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where a man identified as Mr. Michael Eje, an Ebonyi State indigene, was brutally beaten and paraded by local youths for allegedly killing a snake considered sacred in the community.

A disturbing video of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, shows Eje being ridiculed, forced to chant songs, and humiliated in public after killing the reptile. Reports indicate that he was later fined ₦50,000 by community leaders as part of a “cleansing ritual.”

Senator Nwebonyi Reacts

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North, condemned the act in strong terms, describing it as “barbaric and dehumanizing.”

“I wonder why a man should be subjected to such a harrowing experience for killing a snake that posed a threat to him,” the senator said.

Nwebonyi called on Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo to publicly denounce the incident and ensure that such actions do not recur. He compared the urgency of the matter to Soludo’s swift decision to rename Abakaliki Street in Awka, which sparked controversy between Ebonyi and Anambra indigenes.

The senator also directed the leadership of the Ebonyi State Indigenes Association in Anambra, led by Chief Moses Ofoke, to investigate the situation and provide support to the victim and his family.

Victim’s Ordeal

Narrating his experience, Eje, who hails from Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, explained that he was working at a construction site when he encountered the snake.

“The snake jumped out from under some blocks and attacked me. Out of fear, I killed it to protect myself,” he said.

Unaware of the community’s customs, Eje stated that he had never been warned that killing a snake was considered an abomination in Nkpor. After the incident, he said local youths descended on him, beating him, forcing him to chant funeral dirges for the reptile, and parading him through the streets.

His wife, visibly shaken, recounted how her husband was humiliated in front of the community. The family now fears for their safety and livelihood.

Clash of Culture and Human Rights

The incident has raised critical questions about the tension between traditional beliefs and modern human rights standards. While several Nigerian communities hold certain animals—such as snakes, crocodiles, or monkeys—as sacred, human rights activists argue that punishing individuals for killing such animals violates personal freedoms and the constitutional right to life and dignity.

Legal experts note that while Nigerian law recognizes cultural practices, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria guarantees fundamental rights that supersede traditional norms.

Wider Reactions

• Human rights groups have called for an investigation, insisting that mob justice cannot be tolerated under any circumstance.

• Cultural custodians in Anambra argue that communities must balance tradition with awareness, ensuring non-indigenes are informed of customs to avoid clashes.

• Diaspora groups, particularly in South Africa and the UK, where many Nigerians face xenophobia, have expressed concern, drawing parallels between discrimination at home and abroad.

Global Parallels

The Anambra incident echoes similar cases across Africa and beyond where cultural reverence for animals has clashed with modern governance:

• In India, cows are considered sacred in Hindu culture, leading to violent mob attacks against people accused of slaughtering them.

• In Uganda and Kenya, sacred shrines linked to snakes and crocodiles still play major roles in local spirituality, sometimes leading to conflicts with outsiders.

• In South Africa, xenophobic attacks have been tied to cultural mistrust, further fueling debates about tolerance and unity.

These parallels show that Nigeria’s challenge is not isolated but part of a larger global struggle between tradition and modern human rights enforcement.

Call for Government Intervention

Senator Nwebonyi has demanded that Governor Soludo take immediate steps to investigate the incident, ensure justice for the victim, and educate communities on the limits of cultural enforcement.

Human rights advocates also urge the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigerian Police Force to intervene, warning that unchecked mob justice undermines Nigeria’s global image as Africa’s largest democracy.

Community Tensions

The incident is particularly sensitive given recent political tensions between Ebonyi and Anambra States, with disputes over boundaries and cultural recognition sparking debates. Observers warn that if not properly addressed, such incidents may deepen mistrust between communities in the South-East.