Indigenes of Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo state have revealed the reasons behind the mysterious death of the 36 cows which were struck to death by lightning over the weekend. The indigenes have said the cows died because of the alleged slaughter of a python.
Some of the Indigenes who spoke to newsmen said that The Herders had allegedly killed a big python on the Oke-Owa hill earlier before the lightning struck the cattle dead.
According to the Indigenes, killing the python which is considered a sacred being is a taboo and it has dire consequences as the killers will face the full wrath of the gods of the land.
They also said the cows had desecrated the sacred hill by grazing there. The sacred hill was only meant to be visited by the Monarch and selected Chiefs once in a year.
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Other Indigenes share a different opinion as they believe the gods are angry as the cows died because the people had stopped performing their annual rituals at Oke-Owa hill.
“When you get to the palace, ask them when last they worshipped on Okeowa,” he said
However, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) which suffered the loss of 36 cows described the unfortunate incident as an act of God.
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Investigations showed that the cows were not poisoned as earlier insinuated.
MACBAN Chairman, Bello Garba said that the Association would lay emphasis on sensitizing people to respect culture and tradition and avoid sacred areas while grazing to prevent a recurrence of the unfortunate incident.