Princess Inikpi was a beautiful and intelligent young woman whose selfless sacrifice saved her people from destruction. She was the only child of her parents: Atah Ayegba Oma Idoko and Queen Omele.
The Igala Kingdom came into conflict with the Bini Kingdom, one of its greatest enemies, around the 15th century. The Bini warriors repeatedly attacked the land of Igala until they wanted to destroy its population. The Bini warriors used a variety of tactics, including poisoning waterways, sudden attacks by day and night, and laying siege to their agricultural lands. The people of Igala then lived in constant fear because they could neither reach the farm nor the stream. For this reason, the leaders consulted the oracle, who announced that the only remedy for the safety of the kingdom and victory in the war was for the king to bury his beloved daughter Inikpi alive. The king had four sons – Akogu, Agada, Eleme, Ohiemi Obogo – and Inikpi was his only daughter. He loved Inikpi very much, which is why she always stayed with her father in the palace.
The king was desperate and could not eat or drink for several days.He begged the Oracle to take slaves, but she insisted that they must be of royal blood – Inikpi.
The princess noticed her father’s unhappy mood and tried to find out the reason, but he did not tell her. She also worried and continued to ask questions until, on the seventh day, the king told her what the oracle had told him to do to save the land of Igala and its people from destruction.
Knowing the reason for his father’s sadness, Inikpi promised to offer himself. His reception sparked mourning across the country, especially his mother Omele. On the appointed day, Inikpi went to the bank of River Niger at Ida and was buried alive alongside nine virgin slaves that would help her thereafter.
As the Bini warriors advanced after the sacrifice, they saw that all of Igala was in flames and retreated, believing that there was no reason to wage war in a city that was already in flames. But as the story goes, they were deceived by the blood of Inikpi. Inikpi’s sacrifice brought endless joy, peace and security to the Igala kingdom. This freed the people from the chains that surrounded their enemies as the Igala army was no longer defeated in wars.
Inikpi lived and died a virgin, and her courageous act caused many parents to name their daughters after her. Respect for the role of the Princess in averting disaster in Igala Territory continues to be an important historical event in the life of the Igala people. Today, many people in Idah bear the name Inikpi as a tribute to the princess.
The sacrifice was costly, very costly, but it brought peace to the land of Igala. To this day, the late Princess Inikpi, who was sacrificed so that the Igala could live, remains a unifying factor in Igala land.
His statue stands at Ega Market in Idah, Kogi State.
