Tension has taken hold of Opu-Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State’s Nembe Local Government Area following allegations of ritual practices involving the remains of a sacred python. Panic erupted after a swarm of bees suddenly invaded the community square, a bizarre occurrence residents interpreted as a spiritual warning tied to a broken cultural taboo.
According to community members, the appearance of the bees was both mysterious and alarming, prompting local elders to consult traditional spiritual leaders. In Nembe customs, pythons are deeply revered and considered sacred. Killing one is seen as a grave offense that demands elaborate funeral rites. Any use of a python’s remains is equally forbidden.
Sources revealed that traditionalists traced the source of the spiritual unrest to the alleged burial of python remains somewhere within the community. The revelation has sparked widespread anxiety and fear among residents, who believe the act has disrupted the community’s spiritual harmony.
So far, those responsible for the act have not been identified. However, traditional leaders have issued a six-day ultimatum for the culprits to confess. If no one comes forward, they warn that strict traditional consequences will follow, and cleansing rituals will be necessary to restore peace.
