- As controversy trails alleged murder of skit maker in Abuja by herdsmen
The Ojoto community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State is in uproar as members of the community on Monday protested the killing of a 69-year-old widow, known as Ifeoma Ajuluchukwu by her stepson.
Her alleged murderer and stepson (name withheld) is said to be the first son of her husband’s first wife.
The protesters, who besieged the premises of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, on Monday, disclosed the development during their demonstration even though they did not state the date the incident took place.
They came in their numbers, including the youth and the elderly while carrying placards that had various inscriptions.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, their leader, Prince Emeka Nwabunike, said they came to express their grievances and also appeal for justice, following the alleged gruesome murder of the widow.
Nwabunike said the people of Ojoto had heard from all the parties and also conducted an independent investigation, after which they found out that the widow was “gruesomely murdered.”
He explained that their protest was to seek justice for the murdered widow, adding that “the entire community is distressed about how the widow was sent to her early grave, while the suspect continues to walk freely.”
He commended the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, for showing interest and being proactive in the matter and also assured the commissioner that the community was solidly behind the ministry in securing justice for the widow.
He said, “We plead with the commissioner to use her good offices to get justice for the slain widow. Her immediate intervention in the matter spurred us into carrying out further investigations on our own.
“We also had to involve all the parties in the matter, video evidence was also reviewed. In the end, it became obvious that Mrs Ifeoma Ajuluchukwu was murdered and she needed justice.”
Obinabo, while addressing the protesters, hailed them for choosing the right channel to express their grievances without toeing the path of jungle justice.
She also commended the traditional ruler of the community and the entire people for showing concern in the matter and for the necessary steps they have taken so far on it.
She said, “The ministry has carried out far-reaching steps in the matter. Injustice, especially injustice against women, children and the less privileged members of society, is abhorred and intolerable in the state under Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“The matter will get to the desk of the governor and the murdered widow will get the state government’s assistance and justice.
“We swung into action immediately we got wind of the news, especially when we heard that the alleged perpetrator of the crime went behind the back to arrest community members who condemned the act because of his influence.”
She said the Soludo administration seriously condemned such rascality as well as people taking the law into their own hands assuring the protesters that this would get to the governor’s table and that the matter would be pursued to its logical conclusion.
In the meantime, controversies are trailing the death of skit maker, Chidike Emmanuel, who was said to have been killed by suspected herdsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
A netizen, Loveline Imaobong, had raised an alarm revealing that the victim was found lifeless in a mortuary.
“The guy in the picture is lying lifeless in the mortuary, he was attacked by Fulani men. Any lead to his family members would be appreciated. They should please go to Mpape’s new police station, Berger Quarry. Please repost till it gets to them,” she wrote
Imabong further claimed that Chidi was among six persons allegedly attacked by herdsmen.
“Six of us were attacked and he died in the process. We’re currently looking for information about any of his family members,” she added.
Giving more update, Imabong said, ” His closest relative in Abuja has reached out and visited the police station. The police are putting in efforts to make sure the perpetrators will be apprehended. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this”
This was quickly debunked by another netizen, UrglyGramm tweeting as #urgly_gramm who claimed Chidi had no family in Abuja.
“Chidi has no family in Abuja and this girl #Celebritylekpa claims that his family has already been there but our source told us that the police said none of his family has been present.
“Please like and retweet till this tweet gets to his family in Lagos or share pls share his family contact because they do not know anything about this death and he has been dead since yesterday not today,” he debunked.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached as he did not respond to messages sent to his phone as at the time of filling this report.
Meanwhile, netizens on Monday are calling for justice for Chidi.
Already, #Justiceforchidi trended with many left confused about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Sýn•ņpà tweeting as #simplysympa described his death as appalling.
“The controversy surrounding Chidi’s demise is so appalling. A worse thing that could happen to a dead person is to be left unburied. Family and friends need closure in grief and for the dead to rest in peace, too,” he wrote.
A popular animal scientist, Arojinle, said Chidi’s death has left him emotional
He shared, “I deleted one of my earlier tweets because it contained what can be termed a murder allegation which I can’t prove. I have been advised to do so. I’m trying not to get emotional but when I read my chats with Chidi, I can’t help it. I have videos of animals he shared that I never knew about before. I haven’t even posted some of them yet.”
Another user, Daisy tweeting as #Adaherself wrote, ” I’m sorry Nigeria happened to you I’m sorry Abuja happened to you Chidi You only left Lagos to Abuja for solace, quite unfortunate it was truncated. Had it been you knew, you would have just remained in Lagos Damn!! This one hurts.”
PUNCH
