According to local beliefs, the Inachalo River, located near the grave of the ancient Princess Oma-Odoko, is not your regular river. It is seen as a sacred and highly forbidden place — and the fish inside? Omo, forget it, you can never cook them, no matter how long you try!

The Strange History Behind the Inachalo River

The story dates back to the deadly conflict between the Igala and Jukun kingdoms. It was during this war that Attah Idoko, ruler of the Igala people, reportedly declared the river poisoned as a strategy to weaken the invading Jukun warriors who relied on it for food and water.

But the shocking part? To bring peace to the land, Princess Oma-Odoko, the daughter of Attah Idoko, along with nine other women, allegedly volunteered to be buried alive near the river in 1834. Locals believe her sacrifice brought an end to the war but left the river permanently sacred.

Omo, imagine that kind sacrifice, e no easy!

The Fish You Can’t Eat

Till today, it is claimed that no fish caught from the Inachalo River can be cooked or boiled. No matter how hot the fire, the fish will remain raw. Some even say the fish are strange-looking — not your regular catfish or tilapia — but deformed and mysterious creatures.

It gets scarier… locals also claim that if a person is accidentally hurt by the bones of these fish, the wound will never heal properly.

The Truth?

As with many ancient stories, these claims remain unverified. The mystery of Inachalo River has sparked curiosity for years, with some calling it a myth, while others swear by its spiritual powers.

One thing is certain — in Kogi, nobody jokes with Inachalo River.

Erin Ayonigba River, located in Erinjiyan, Ekiti West Local Government, is not your regular river o. According to locals, it’s more than just water — it’s their protector, healer, and spiritual backbone.

Omo, hold yourself, this story dey mysterious wella!

A River That ‘Protects’ and ‘Punishes’

The people of Erinjiyan believe that the river watches over its children anywhere they are in the world and allegedly has the power to cure over 200 ailments, including delayed pregnancies.

It’s said that women struggling to conceive drink and bathe with the river water, and once a child arrives, they must bring the child back every July to celebrate with the town during their popular festival, Odun Olokun.

But there’s more o…

The Fish That Refuses to Be Cooked!

The river is filled with special fish — believed to be the children of the river goddess. These fish can never be harmed. Anyone who dares to kill or cook them, villagers claim, will face terrible consequences like strange sickness or even death among little children in the area.

In fact, it’s said that if you attempt to cook the fish, the pieces will magically rejoin and form a whole fish inside the pot. Omo, this one pass movie!

The Snake That ‘Protects’ the River

Beside the river is a grove of palm trees where, during festivals, maidens dressed in beads dance and celebrate. But lurking around is a massive snake called Ejola, so huge it’s said to swallow goats or even humans. Locals insist the snake is harmless — unless provoked — and can transform into a rope when it senses danger.

The Goddess That Appears in Human Form

It’s also believed that the river goddess sometimes appears as a fat woman, young girl, or elderly woman to visit the palace or scold wrongdoers, but only spiritually sensitive people, like Mrs. Abike Owotuyi, the river custodian, can recognize her.

Strange But Sacred Rules:

• You must not boil or dilute the river water with hot water
• You can’t take the water out of town without informing a native
• You must never cut the palm trees by the river with a knife
• Pledges made to the goddess must be fulfilled

Locals even claim the river shields its children from global illnesses like COVID-19, and when the river is angry, she reportedly turns the water red or sends signs through drum sounds from beneath the river.

A River of Mystery and Belief

Non-indigenes like Mrs. Blessing, a resident from Benue State, say the river isn’t harmful — the people are peaceful, and everyone drinks and bathes in the water.

True or not, one thing is clear — the story of Erin Ayonigba continues to fascinate and leave many wondering about the mysteries that still dwell in Nigeria’s deep traditions.

According to reports currently making rounds, what started as a regular amala joint along Alaja-Megida road, Ayobo, Ipaja, turned into a scene straight out of a Nollywood movie.

Omo, hold yourself, this story get as e be!

A customer allegedly recognized the food seller and her workers — not as ordinary people, but as ghosts! Yes, you read that right. Ghosts selling Amala in broad daylight.

The said restaurant, known for serving hot Amala, became the center of attention when, according to eyewitnesses, the food seller and her apprentices disappeared right in front of people’s eyes after being identified.

Quick Reminder: What is Amala?

Amala is a beloved Nigerian dish made from yam, cassava, or plantain flour. It’s popular in Yoruba culture and usually enjoyed with stews like ewedu, gbegiri, and assorted meats. But omo, nobody expected to eat Amala served by alleged ghosts!

How It All Started:

According to the trending story, a customer reportedly recognized the food seller as someone who had long passed away in their hometown. Another customer also noticed something strange but couldn’t quite figure it out until the shocking moment the food seller and her workers vanished.

Omo, Ipaja residents no fit keep quiet after that kind thing!

The incident has since sparked massive speculation. While some believe it’s just a cooked-up tale to draw attention, others are convinced the story is true, pointing to similar mysterious encounters shared by other residents.

Some even claimed to have seen ghostly figures at the eatery before its sudden closure. The restaurant is now shut down, adding more fuel to the already spooky gist.

Nzamwita, in one of the few interviews he’s ever given, explained: “The reason I locked myself inside here and have a fence on my house is because I want to make sure that women will not come closer to me.” In his words, being near females frightens him, and it fills him with anxiety.

Despite that from his perspective, the local women-neighbors, in particular-have helped him survive for several decades. One neighbor was quoted as saying that she has hardly seen him leave his compound since childhood. The community buys rescuing goods and food, which they then throw over his fence, as he refuses to accept any direct contact.

If it happens that any woman disrespects whatever boundary that was in front of his compound, really he is said to run indoors and lock himself. Psychiatrists suspect that Nzamwita may be suffering from gynophobia, an irrational fear of women. It is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but in clinical terminology, it is considered to be a 1990 “specific phobia”.

Symptoms of gynophobia include an overwhelming sensation of anxiety, panic attacks, trouble breathing, chest tightening, intense sweating, and rapid heartbeat—some of these symptoms have even been known to appear when afflicted are simply thinking about women.