The Olokoro clan of Umuahia South Local Government Area in Abia State has prohibited the use of cutlasses and other potentially hazardous weapons during the celebration of this year’s new yam festival in all 17 of the clan’s autonomous settlements.
The clan instructed the Okonko sociocultural group and the Olokoro Vigilante Group to capture any violators of the order and turn them over to the police for prosecution.
Such defaulters will also be fined N30,000 in addition to being arrested.
No cutlass or other potentially deadly weapons shall be displayed or used during the event, according to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Olokoro Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze E.A. Izuogu, Mazi Dike Nzenwa, and other Olokoro elders.
It suggested that the festival, which would start with Iwa Ji at Ahia Ukwu Olokoro and continue with celebrations throughout the 17 communities of the clan after that, be held calmly in keeping with the peaceful aspect of Olokoro traditional legacy.
It urged all natives and visitors to live peaceful, loving lives, abide by the law, and refrain from acts of violence that would jeopardise the tranquilly of Olokoro land.
Some local leaders responded to the order by calling it a positive move in preventing hoodlums from appropriating the new yam festival and indulging in fights and other illicit activities.
