By David Akhilomen

The disturbing resurgence of an age-long traditional practice in parts of Edo State has once again drawn attention to the growing plight of individuals who have faced persecution, intimidation, and social exclusion for defying the custom. One such case is that of Mr. Austin Ojiezele (not his real name), a Nigerian who fled his community for fear of persecution and is currently seeking protection in Europe. His life has allegedly remained under threat years after he resisted the practice. His experience reflects the wider reality faced by several others who, after challenging these traditions, have reportedly endured harassment, fear, and ostracism from their communities. In some cases, individuals have also reported sudden illnesses believed to lead to mysterious deaths, while others have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

The latest incident occurred on February 28th, 2026. In the Arue clan, a community within Uromi, the headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, where villagers reportedly attacked a family during a traditional marriage ceremony, claiming it violated ancestral customs.

The clash took place between extended families from Odeko-Arue villages when Miss Edith Okokhere of Odeko-Arue was to be traditionally married to Mr. Jacob Ogbejele from Eror community.

According to accounts from community sources and elders of the bride’s paternal lineage, the couple reportedly proceeded with their marriage plans without carrying out adequate consultations or background inquiries. Having lived mainly in the city and rarely visiting the village, they were said to be unaware of certain ancestral ties within the community. The elders alleged that the couple were distantly related through ancestral lineage and blamed the oversight on the bride’s father, Mr. Peter Okokhere, whom they accused of failing to conduct thorough investigations into the family background of his prospective son-in-law, and instead hastily went ahead to fix the traditional marriage date in his compound.

It was when some elders and extended family members of Mr. Peter Okokhere became aware, just days before the proposed date for the traditional marriage, they reportedly raised objections, arguing that the great-grandparents of both families were cousins. According to them, this ancestral connection made the union forbidden under the customs of the Arue clan and neighbouring communities such as Ebhoyi in Uromi.

However, the celebration turned violent when elders and youths from the community stormed the venue in an attempt to halt the marriage.

Witnesses said the elders insisted the marriage was a taboo that could bring a curse upon the land if allowed to take place on Arue soil

What began as a heated argument soon escalated into chaos when, during the confrontation, the bride’s elder brother, Solomon, allegedly slapped one of the aggressors who was said to have pushed his father. The incident reportedly triggered a violent retaliation from the youths who had accompanied the elders.

Solomon was said to have been attacked with machetes and sustained multiple cut in different parts of his body. The groom, Mr. Jacob Ogbejele, who tried to defend him, also suffered a deep head injury.

Guests reportedly fled the scene as the attackers turned on several people present at the ceremony. Although the police were contacted, sources said officers arrived after the violence had already subsided, while both injured men were later taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

Days after the incident, community elders were said to have convened a meeting at the village square where sanctions were pronounced on the Okokhere family. Sources claim the elders placed a traditional curse on the family and ordered a total social boycott against them.

Villagers were reportedly warned not to eat, drink, trade, or interact with members of the family until spiritual appeasement rites were performed to cleanse what was described as an abomination against the land.

The elders also allegedly threatened that the family could be completely ostracized or driven out of the community if the couple were found living together as husband and wife.

During the gathering, sources reported that some elders referenced previous cases involving Mr. Humphrey Okiye, a native of the area who had earlier defied the same tradition. According to these sources, the elders described Mr. Humphrey’s marriage as a precedent that emboldened others to challenge the custom, warning that he should remain away from the community. Sources further confirmed that, should Mr. Humphrey Okiye ever return to the community, he would be made to face the dire consequences of his actions, and that children born from such a union could be subjected to ritual cleansing meant to appease the land.

The development has raised renewed concerns for victims of these barbaric traditional customs, who are often forced to flee their communities in search of safety overseas, such as the likes of Mr. Austin Ojiezele and many others who may still be afraid to return home for fear of persecution and hostility. The recent attack on the Okokhere marriage ceremony reaffirms that the risks they fled from may very well still exist.

With tensions still high in the Arue community and fears of possible reprisal attacks, Mr. Jacob Ogbejele, who was still receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, who when contacted by our reporters, said he was in too much pain to speak extensively about his ordeal. However, he lamented the brutal enforcement of these customs in the 21st century, further expressing his heartbreak, especially as his family had strongly opposed continuing with the marriage following the aftermath of the incident.

Efforts to speak with Odion (the eldest man in the community) have remained abortive, as he has been unwilling to engage with our reporters.

As the situation continues to unfold, there are growing concerns for the affected individuals and a critical need to address their safety and well-being.