The New Yam Festival in Ihie village turned chaotic on September 29 when police disrupted the celebration.
As families gathered to honour their traditions, officers dismantled decorations and fired teargas, leaving over ten injured and many hospitalised.
The festive day became a struggle for cultural heritage and community unity.
In the vibrant Ihie village of Ebonyi State, the community prepared to celebrate the New Yam Festival, a cherished event honouring the harvest and unity, on September 29.
Families were busy preparing traditional foods and decorations, excited to honour their rich cultural heritage.
But when the festive atmosphere filled the air, a dark cloud loomed on the horizon.
Suddenly, a convoy of five police vans rolled into the village.
Heavily armed officers stepped out, their presence immediately felt, as they began dismantling festival setups.
Officers overturned chairs, destroyed sound systems, and seized ceremonial cannon guns.
From Joy To Sorrow
What should have been a joyful day quickly spiraled into chaos.
Eyewitnesses watched in shock as the police escalated their actions.
They fired teargas into homes, disrupting the preparations of women who were cooking for the celebration.
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Peculiar Ajah, a young woman recovering from a medical procedure at home, shared her horrifying experience.
“I was on a drip in bed when the teargas filled our home. I nearly suffocated,” she recalled, still shaken from the ordeal.
As the violence unfolded, community leaders spoke out.
Seventy-seven-year-old elder Leonard Ekeh, condemned the actions of the police, calling them a blatant violation of their cultural traditions.
“At my age, I fear no one. I am ready to die for my people,” he declared, urging the state’s Commissioner of Police to investigate the violent disruption.
His words echoed the deep sense of injustice felt by the villagers.
In the midst of the turmoil, President General Ume Cletus pointed fingers at the village’s traditional ruler, suggesting that personal rivalries had fueled the police intervention.
Though the local government had imposed a ban on activities due to security concerns, many felt the heavy-handed approach was unnecessary.
What began as a joyful celebration became a battle for cultural identity, leaving the villagers grappling with both anger and fear.
The New Yam Festival, a symbol of their unity and heritage, had transformed into a painful reminder of the struggles they face in preserving their traditions.
