The story of Princess Inikpi is one of bravery and heroism as she buried herself alive to ensure her people were saved during war between the Igala and the Benin people .
Today, a statue of Princess Inikpi stands in a market square in Idah, remembered among the Igala people as a very beautiful and intelligent princess, whose selfless commitment and sacrifice helped rescue and keep the survival of the Igala nation.
According to history, Princess Inikpi was the only beloved daughter of Ayegbu Oma Idoko, the then Atta of Igala kingdom. The Igala people call her Inikpi oma’fedo baba, meaning “Inikpi, the father’s beloved.”
The Igala Kingdom had become become unsafe due to the brooding battle between the Igala and the Benin people.
The Bini warriors persistently attacked Igala land to the extent of wanting to annihilate the people, employing different tactics, including poisoning the streams, sudden attacks in the day and night, and laying siege to their farmland.
Threatened by death and starvation, King Atta consulted the oracle where it was proclaimed that to ensure safety of the kingdom and victory in the war, the king had to sacrifice his most beloved child. The only daughter of the king, Princess Inikpi would be buried alive.
Surely, the king was distraught and heartbroken. For days, he didn’t eat or drink and he wished for an alternative solution.
The princess noticed how downcast her father was and asked to know the reason behind his sadness. Instead of opening up, he held off telling her the reason for seven days, but on the eighth, he relented and told her the words of the Oracle.
The princess, who loved her father and her people as much as they loved her, could not bear the thought of holding off on the solution that would save Igala land.
Therefore, she agreed to be sacrificed and set off voluntarily to the bank of River Niger at Idah (some say market square), where she was buried along with 9 slaves who would help her in the journey to the afterlife.
Legend has it that when the enemies approached Igala Kingdom, what they saw was a town in flames and so they turned back with the assumption that the town Idah was already under attack. However, it was the influence of the sacrifice.
For this, the Igala people are forever deeply grateful to Princess Inikpi for her sacrifice and act of heroism. A statue of the princess stands at “Ega” in Idah, which is considered the Igala traditional headquarters and many Igala people bear the name “Inikpi” to honour her.
