The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has strongly condemned the alleged harassment and humiliation of an Ebonyi man, Mr. Michael Eje, who was reportedly brutalized by youths in Nkpor, Anambra State, for killing a snake regarded as sacred in the community.
A disturbing video that surfaced on social media showed Mr. Eje being paraded through the streets by angry youths who accused him of desecrating their tradition.
He was ridiculed, beaten, and made to chant dirges for the snake before being fined ₦50,000.
Reacting to the incident, Senator Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, described the act as “barbaric, dehumanizing, and unacceptable in a modern society.”
He said it was shocking that in the 21st century, an individual could be subjected to such humiliation for killing a snake in self-defense.
“I wonder why a man should be subjected to such a harrowing experience for killing a snake that posed a threat to him,” Nwebonyi said.
He stressed that no cultural practice should supersede a person’s right to life and safety.
The lawmaker called on the Anambra State Government, led by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to immediately condemn the act and ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves.
He noted that the same urgency with which the governor handled the recent renaming of Abakaliki Street in Awka should be applied to protecting the dignity of individuals, regardless of their state of origin.
Senator Nwebonyi also directed the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Indigenes Association in Anambra, Chief Moses Ofoke, to reach out to the victim and his family to document his experience and ensure he receives the necessary support.
Speaking about his ordeal, Mr. Eje, a native of Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, said he was working at a construction site when he encountered the snake hidden beneath a pile of old blocks.
According to him, the snake lunged at him, forcing him to kill it in self-defense.
He explained that he had no prior knowledge that killing a snake was considered taboo in Nkpor, and no one had ever informed him of such a custom.
“I only acted out of fear and instinct. I never knew there was any tradition against killing snakes here,” he said.
Mr. Eje narrated that after the killing, some youths accosted him, dragged him through the streets, and subjected him to beatings while mocking him.
He said he was later forced to perform rituals for the snake before being fined.
His wife, who also spoke, described the experience as traumatic and humiliating, noting that the family was still struggling to recover from the psychological impact.
The senator’s intervention has given hope to the victim and his family.
Mr. Eje expressed gratitude for Nwebonyi’s swift response and called on the authorities to ensure justice is served.
“What I went through is something I will never forget in my life. I thank the senator for standing with me. I just want justice,” he said.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the relevance of such practices in today’s society.
While some argued that cultural values must be respected, others insisted that human life and dignity should take precedence over any tradition.
Civil rights groups have also weighed in, urging the Anambra State Government to take concrete steps to protect non-indigenes from cultural practices that may endanger their rights.
They stressed that Nigeria’s diversity should not become a tool for victimization but a source of unity and mutual respect.
As of press time, the Anambra State Government had yet to issue an official response to the senator’s call.
However, stakeholders expect Governor Soludo to step in swiftly to address the matter and reassure the public that such treatment of individuals will not be tolerated.
For Senator Nwebonyi, the issue goes beyond one man’s ordeal.
He insists it is about upholding human dignity and ensuring that no Nigerian is discriminated against or humiliated simply for coming from another state.
Watch the video below.
