Since the death of Tor Tiv in November 2015, there’s been a lot of rumours around the corner and even to other parts of the state. The rumours being that he’ll be buried alongside with human heads while being accompanied to the cemetery with virgins, crocodiles and lions as gathered by Calabar Reporters.
The Tor Tiv, who was installed as the fourth Tor Tiv in April 1991, aged 71 died in a private hospital in Gboko, the traditional seat of his throne. Tor Tiv, Full Name: H.R.H Alfred Akawe Torkula; Lineage: Torkula. Coronation: 21-04-1991. Palace: Tiv Day, Gboko. State: Benue.
Calabar Reporters also gathered information from a valid source that the Tor Tiv would be buried in a cemetery at the Abagu round about opposite the Tor Palace, beside Gboko Local Government Secretariat. The burial ceremony would hold inside the Gboko Township stadium, since the palace won’t accommodate the entire events.
On the Monday 1, Feb 2016, the Igbo people in Benue held their condolence tribute to wish the Tor Tiv farewell as they closed up their shops and businesses for the entire day. While the youths and other clan heads locks to the routine wake keeping night.
Calabar Reporters also gathered that the state has declared Thursday 4 February, 2016 as public holidays. Gboko local government in particular will acknowledge the holidays till Friday as Shops, banks, schools and all other ventures will be closed.
Stay tuned as we’ll be bringing you live coverage from the event.