A man, 82-year-old, has been banished from Umuizu, Okwulaga Afaraukwu Ibeku, in Umuahia, Abia State, after being caught allegedly attempting to bury suspected charms on farmland belonging to a member of the community.

This was even as the suspect has allegedly confessed to having killed many relatives.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and attracted the attention of residents and community youths who chased him away from the community.

According to information gathered, the man was apprehended by members of the community following allegations that he was attempting to bury objects believed to be charms on another person’s farmland.

Following his apprehension, community youths took him to the palace of the traditional ruler of Okwulaga Afaraukwu Ibeku, His Royal Highness, Eze Edward Ibeabuchi, where the matter was brought before the monarch.

Addressing the incident, the traditional ruler reportedly condemned actions that threaten peace, unity and harmonious coexistence within the community and cautioned residents against engaging in activities that could create fear, suspicion, hostility or division among community members.

The monarch also urged the people to uphold good moral values, respect one another and embrace peaceful coexistence, stressing the importance of preserving the community’s longstanding traditions and unity.

Following deliberations at the palace, the man was reportedly banished from the community over the alleged incident.

When contacted on Tuesday, the traditional ruler of Okwulaga Afaraukwu Ibeku, His Royal Highness, Eze Edward Ibeabuchi, said, “I did not banish anybody. The community banished him. The community was not happy with him”.

Shining more light on the development, Eze Ibeabuchi said, “He confessed that he killed his brothers. I called him and asked him about what I heard; he said it was true and pleaded that he be forgiven.”

The royal father said the community asked him to leave and not be seen in the community, and to go anywhere else he wants.

“He is married, and I am sad about him because he is an elder in the community and is about 82 years old. I am ashamed of him because I am in a good relationship with the family.”

Ezeh Ibeabuchi said the suspect confirmed the allegations and pleaded for forgiveness, noting that he was even thinking if the suspect was mentally well, confirming, “I didn’t banish him, but the community. At a stage, I was not sure he was well, and I was crying like a boy.

“The land exposed him, and he was vomiting what he had done and where he did it. He led the community to where he did it, including pictures of people; the tree fell down, which meant the spirit he was using to do that left. It was not an easy thing to joke with,” a community source said.

The wife and the children, it was said, went to thank the traditional ruler for preventing harm to the suspect; if not for the intervention of the traditional ruler, the suspect would have been lynched.

As of the time of filing this report, details of any police involvement remained unclear, and efforts to get a police reaction were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Maureen Chinaka, could not be reached for comment. (The PUNCH)