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.