By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A 46-year-old akara (bean cake) seller in Anambra State, Christopher Nwali, popularly known as Uyaka or Nwoke Akara Na Out, over the weekend escaped lynching by whiskers following rumours that he was dead and suddenly reappeared to resume his business.

Narrating his story to journalists, Nwali whose business spot is located at Ezeiweka Road and Moore Street, Awada Obosi, said that he took ill and was admitted in a hospital in Asaba, Delta State for over a week.

According to Nwali, who has been in the mobile fast food business for 18 years, the long absence led to rumour mongers moving around with the news of his purported death. He said that upon his return, he discovered that his business had collapsed due to the rumours.

The Ebonyi State-born bean cake seller said that his employees were hitherto harassed, while customers avoided them, believing that the akara balls were made by a ghost.

He said that during the monthly sanitation exercise, residents insisted that he joined them to prove he was alive, but the gathering turned violent as people threw stones, pebbles, and sharp objects at him to verify his claim of being alive.

Nwali said he was brutally assaulted by residents of Ezeiweka road, Awada Obosi, Anambra State, after he reappeared following rumours of his death.

One of Nwali?s employees, Chukwunagorom C. Sabastine, corroborated the account, stating that the rumours led to humiliation and a significant decline in business.

Rumour mongers can kill one unexpectedly. We were so cursed and insulted when our master did not appear for two weeks.

?The rumour was all over the place that we are children of a ghost and that we sell akara balls to kill people who eat them,? Sabastine lamented.

Nwali appealed for those responsible for spreading the false rumours to repent, emphasizing the harm caused to his family and business.

He expressed gratitude for his return and pledged to rebuild his business. ?It was a thing I will never forget in life; people who carried rumour about should repent for it is aimed at bringing somebody down.

?We have lost all our customers, but thank God that with my presence now, the business is gradually growing,? Nwali said.

Despite the challenges, Nwali remains determined to succeed in the competitive food industry.

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