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| Statue of Princess Inikpi |
Between 1515 and 1516 there was a war called The Igala–Benin War. It was a short conflict between the Igala Kingdom and the Kingdom of Benin in what is now Nigeria. For the Iglas people, their land seemed to be in trouble. It's said that streams of water were poisonous and the people were starving. All due to the Beni's
Ayegbu Oma Idoko, the Atta of the Igala kingdom would consult an oracle for help with their problems. However, the oracle would give him devastating news. His beloved daughter Princess Inikpi had to be buried alive for there to be victory. This would devastate him.
For seven days he would mourn the idea of either losing his daughter or losing his people. He would refuse to eat or drink and was in a depressed state. Inikpi seeing her father this way worried her. She would ask him what was wrong and in turn, he refused to talk. This is until the eighth day when he admits in tears to Inikpi and tells her of the oracle's prediction.
Surprisingly Princess Inikpi would take the news well. She loved her father and loved her people just as much as she was loved. She would not go against fate and volunteered for it. She had either gone to the bank of River Niger at Idah or market square. She and nine virgin slaves would be buried alive. The slaves buried with her were to help her on the other side.
It's said that Inikpi's sacrifice did protect her people. The Bini armies came to attack, but they saw the town in flames and retreated. They saw no point in attacking a town on fire and being destroyed already. It was said that the blood of the princess was what deceived them.
Princess Inkpi's sacrifice still stands as an important event. To this day she is still seen as a hero who saved her people from slaughter. A statue of the princess stands at “Ega” in Idah. Today many of the people in Idah are named in her honor.
The Gaurdian July 28, 2019
Pulse October 26, 2022
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