Posted by By KENNETH ODOEMENA on
Standing imposingly high and dwarfing every other object both natural and man-made is the great and fear inspiring Zuma Rock of Niger state.
Standing imposingly high and dwarfing every other object both natural and man-made is the great and fear inspiring Zuma Rock of Niger state. The inhabitants of Madalla Zuba, Dakwa and Gauraka villages who live near the more than 3, 000 feet high Zuma Rock have different opinions of the rock. Some, especially non-indigenes and avowed Christians, hold the Rock responsible for the frequent accidents on the Abuja - Kaduna Road and the consequent loss of several lives.
However, because of the tourism environment created by the prodigious rock, a clever investor bought the idea of building a Five Star hotel in the neighbourhood, not very far from the Rock. But unknown to him, the great and powerful deity of the Rock, according to residents of the neighbourhood, is angry about the location of the hotel.
According to Mallam Osoma Kasim, an indigene who took Sunday Sun to the abandoned site, he knew that the project would not last long when it commenced.
'I have lived here for several years of my life and I knew that Zuma can never allow that. For men to come and build Chalets where they will be committing adultery in the face of the powerful deity of Zuma Rock? Impossible!
Even though he is not among the worshipers of Zuma Rock, Osoma said he had seen with his eyes when the deity raged in the past. He cited an example when the deity killed several white folks who tried to blow up the Rock with dynamites.
'When the hotel, a six storey magnificent structure, was nearing competition, the Zuma deity issued several herbal warnings to the builders but they ignored it and continued. After the painting of the house, the deity launched a vicious attack on the people, killing some and sending others on the run and abandoning their equipment and materials."
Mallam Osoma confirmed having seen nude people offering sacrifices to the Rock and each time such sacrifices were offered, fire and smoke billowed from the peak of the rock at night.
'I have never seen a thing like this before. The mystery surrounding this rock is yet to be deciphered," he added. He also confirmed that several road accidents along Abuja - Kaduna road has been linked to the Rock.
Recently, a group of expatriate mountain climbers ascended the Rock for the first time and hoisted the Nigerian flag.
Meanwhile, the Five Star Hotel lies desolate and overrun by bush. When Mallam Osoma and Sunday Sun reporter visited the site, abandoned equipment and materials were seen littering the place.