Family disappears after fleeing traditional ritual demands, amid political threats

In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing rise in cases of families vanishing under mysterious circumstances after fleeing threats tied to cultural practices and politically charged incidents. 

On September 12, 2024, the Okon family of six disappeared after refusing to hand over their teenage son for initiation into a secretive traditional cult in Akwa Ibom State. Despite police assurances of a thorough investigation, the family remains missing, fueling public outrage over the state’s inability to protect its citizens.

Now, another family has reportedly vanished under similarly alarming circumstances, deepening concerns about systemic failures to address these threats.

The Imhansoloeva family of four, last seen on November 18, 2024, is at the center of this latest case. Identified as Mr. Sidney Imhansoloeva, his wife Prisca, and their two children, the family had been on the run for months after facing threats linked to a controversial traditional ritual and a whistleblowing incident involving an oil bunkering syndicate allegedly tied to a prominent politician.

The Imhansoloeva family’s ordeal reportedly began in January 2024, during a visit to their ancestral village in Edo State. The visit coincided with the annual Ukpe festival, where their 11-year-old daughter was chosen to be initiated as the community’s chief priest’s spiritual wife. This role demanded that she undergo circumcision, sever ties with her family, abandon her education, and live under the control of the chief priest.

The family’s refusal to comply triggered threats from community elders, who gave them a two-week ultimatum to surrender their daughter, warning that bloodshed would follow if they refused.

Compounding their troubles, Mr. Imhansoloeva, a pipeline patrol officer, discovered an illegal oil bunkering operation during work, allegedly linked to a prominent politician. After reporting this to his company and the police, the family began receiving death threats, which they believe were linked to the syndicate.

Their situation deteriorated when unidentified men attempted to abduct their daughter from school twice and suspicious individuals began loitering near their home. Despite reporting these incidents to the police, no action was taken. Matters escalated on April 4, 2024, when armed men attacked their home at night. Though the family narrowly escaped, their fears intensified when Mr. Imhansoloeva’s colleague, who co-reported the bunkering operation, was found murdered.

Forced to flee, the family moved between states, living in hiding and accusing the police of complicity in their persecution. Their last known contact was on November 18, 2024. Since then, all attempts to locate them have failed.

Activists warn that without decisive action, more families may face similar fates, as systemic failures continue to leave vulnerable citizens exposed to danger.

Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the case, criticizing the authorities for failing to protect the families despite clear threats. Efforts to get a response from the Edo State Police Command were unsuccessful, and the case remains unsolved as of December 2024.