By Jeff Agbodo

About six communities in Igbanke, Edo State have traced their origin to Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

This revelation was made the through the convener of “Unify Igbo Now” Prince Chukwuemeka Ndukaku who found them out as one of the “BIA” speaking communities all over the world and after comparing names, culture, food and actions of the Igbanke people, concluded that they originated from Aguleri and brought them back to their roots.

Presenting the representatives of the Igbanke people to some Traditional Rulers in Aguleri, Igwe Eziaguluotu, Igwe Lawrence Nwofia, his Mkpunando counterpart, Igwe Johnson Mbanefo, Enugu Otu Aguleri, Igwe Emmanuel Ejimofor, Igwe Enugwu Aguleri, Eze Chukwuemeka Eri who took turns to pray for the Igbanke people and other stakeholders.

Prince Chukwuemeka Ndukaku, also known as Anyanwu Iduu Eri, noted that he was happy when he discovered that the Igbanke people are his brothers of Igbo origin who traced their roots to the ancient Iduu Eri Kingdom which is the present day Aguleri, saying that he will continue to fish out Igbos scattered throughout the world and bring them back home.

The representative of Igbanke people, Prince Azuka Uka said that he was now fulfilled having known his roots, noting that they can now build houses in Aguleri as their home town just as they did in Igbanke.

He said that his past generations all had Igbo names, as a mark that they are Igbos of Aguleri extraction.

In their separate speeches, the four Traditional Rulers in Aguleri present at the event, Eze Eri, Igwe Nwofia, Igwe Mbanefo and Igwe Ejimofor, thanked God for witnessing the reunion of brothers, and prayed for the progress and growth of Igbanke people and their children and appreciated Prince Ndukaku for the good job he is doing for Ndi Igbo all over the world.

Recalled that there was recent identity war between Igbanke people and Benin kingdom which led to Igbanke people openly declaring to the entire world that they are Igbos and not Benin people.