Tears, Anguish as Family Buries Only Son Killed During Imo-Awka Festival

The Awka family in Anambra State was plunged into grief as members buried a 17-year-old boy, Frank Anene an only son who was tragically killed during the 2025 Imoka Festival.

The burial, held amid tears, anguish, and lamentation, marked a sorrowful moment for the family and the entire community.

Frank, a native of Okpaeri Village in Amikwo-Awka, lost his life in a fatal accident on Sunday, May 10, while participating in the age-old Imo Awka Festival, which celebrates the ancestral heritage and spiritual identity of the Awka people.

According to eyewitness accounts, the teenager was dressed in full masquerade regalia and performing his traditional rites along the busy Ogechukwu Street, off Arthur Eze Avenue, when he was struck by a speeding tricycle (commonly known as Keke Napep). The impact was said to have crushed his skull, killing him instantly.

The burial ceremony, held over the weekend, attracted mourners from across the town, including students, youth groups, community leaders, and traditional custodians of culture, all of whom came to pay their final respects in a solemn and emotional atmosphere.

Frank was widely regarded as a passionate advocate for the preservation of Awka’s cultural heritage. He was actively involved in the promotion of traditional values through masquerade performances, a revered component of the Imoka Festival.

In a tribute issued shortly after leading Awka youths to the funeral, the Chairman of the Awka Youth Council (Okolo N’eche Obodo Awka), Comrade Ikechukwu Philip Ezenwa, praised the late Frank for his unwavering commitment to cultural preservation and communal development.

“Frank, who tragically passed away during routine preparations for the Egwu Imoka Festival, was a shining example of dedication to the rich cultural heritage of Ndu Awka. His passion for preserving our traditions through the revered Awka masquerade will forever inspire us,” Ezenwa stated.

He also extended heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported the family during the burial and urged Awka youths to continue honoring Frank’s legacy by upholding the cultural values he held dear.

Frank’s death has reopened fresh wounds within his family. It was gathered that his elder brother had also passed away earlier this year, leaving the family now completely bereft of a male child. He is survived by two sisters and grieving parents, who now bear the double burden of loss and silence within their once-lively home.

“This is a double tragedy. His elder brother died this same year, and now the only surviving son is gone. The family is devastated,” a close family source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed.