Tension has gripped Awhum community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State after the sudden collapse of the revered ancestral tree known as Akpu Awhum, an incident that left 11 people dead and four others hospitalised.
The tragedy, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has sparked a bitter exchange between Christian leaders and African traditional worshippers, each rejecting claims that their faith or actions were responsible for the disaster.
Police Confirm Casualties
Spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Nsukka, confirmed the death toll on Wednesday.
Eleven people were killed when the centuries-old tree came crashing down, while four others sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Catholic Priest: “The Tree Was Obviously Old”
A Catholic priest from the community, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ochiaya, dismissed spiritual interpretations of the collapse, suggesting instead that the tree succumbed to age.
“The tree was obviously old. Even my forefathers met it that way,” he said, adding that all living things eventually die.
Fr. Ochiaya revealed that there had been earlier discussions about removing the ageing tree and planting a replacement, but resistance from some youths and worshippers stalled the plan.
“If the worshippers had allowed the tree to be cut when it was observed to be very old, and a new one planted in its place, perhaps this tragedy would have been averted,” he stated.
He also urged young people in the community to understand the distinction between cultural heritage and spiritual belief, while calling for tolerance among different religious groups.
Traditional Worshippers Cite Spiritual Significance
Community Chief Security Officer, Justice Ogbonnia, described the fallen tree as a sacred symbol deeply woven into Awhum’s history and spirituality.
“We fear this ancestral tree because it has spiritual powers. It is older than any living member of our community,” he said.
According to him, historical accounts claim that German colonial road builders once attempted to cut down the tree but were unsuccessful, opting instead to construct a road around it.
Ogbonnia said elders and custodians of tradition have commenced divination rites to determine the cause of the collapse and to “appease” the spirit believed to be associated with the tree.
“I don’t know if it was offended or desecrated to cause this level of harm,” he added.
Allegations of Religious Suppression
A member who identified himself as secretary of the traditional worshippers’ group alleged that their practices had long been suppressed by the Christian community.
He further accused members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of secretly lighting a large candle beneath the tree, claiming it burned for days and generated heat that weakened its internal structure before the collapse.
The allegation has not been independently verified.
Community on Edge
The fall of Akpu Awhum has not only claimed lives but also exposed long-standing religious and cultural tensions within the community.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to determine whether structural decay, environmental factors, or human activity played a role in the disaster.
For now, grief and recriminations hang heavily over Awhum.
