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By Madu Obi
Elders and stakeholders of Umudioka village in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State have condemned the gruesome murder of one of their kinsmen, Ichie Michael Nwobu in his residence, calling for thorough Police investigation.
The deceased, aged 84, was stabbed to death by yet-to-be identified hoodlums who gained access to his house while his family members were away.
Delivering a communique shortly after their meeting in Awka, Secretary of Ndichie Umudioka Awka, Joseph Nweke regretted that such evil had never happened in the community.
He called on the security agencies and other appropriate authorities to investigate the matter and ensure justice was served.
He said: "Umudioka community in its entirety condemns this gruesome murder. This sacrilege has not happened in our community before.
We're saddened by his death and appeal to security agencies in the state and Nigeria to carry out thorough investigations so the perpetrators can be arrested and punished to forestall a repeat.
We had wanted to carry out protest to Government House but later shelved the idea."
Chairman of Okolobia Umudioka, Chijioke Uzoh said: "Around 8.30am that Sunday, I got a call that Chief Mike Nwobu was murdered in his bedroom by unknown assailants. Before we rushed there, the man had passed on. We quickly alerted our elders. He was stabbed with a knife.
We want to let the world know that we are not happy. But as law abiding citizens, we don't want to take laws into our hands. We want this matter investigated so those behind this dastardly act will be brought to book," he stated.
On his part, the Administrative Head of Ndịchie Umudioka, Fidelis Nwokike, said the community has been thrown into mourning since the incident happened.
While noting that it took the elders' intervention to calm the angry youths to refrain from taking laws into their hands, Nwokike called on security agencies to do the needful.
"He attended a burial ceremony a day before his death. He even came down to pump water before the incident happened. The assailants attempted to cut off his head.
We had to calm down the youths so we can first complain to the government. This act is most heinous, reprehensible act of brutality to say the least. We plead with the powers that be to help us fish out the perpetrators," he noted.
Nephew to the deceased Emeka Nnaemeka described the deceased as peace loving who lived with his wife, little boy and neighbors before his demise.
He said the matter had been formally reported to the appropriate authorities, but said no response had been received.
"I was supposed to meet with my uncle for discussions on the burial of my late elder sister the day the incident happened.
When I tried calling him, I couldn't reach him on phone. An uncle called me that he was rushed to the hospital.
I learnt no immediate member of the family was around at the time of the incident. The wife went to church with the little boy staying with them.
My uncle was a civil servant before he ventured into business. We've reported to both government and police but no response yet," he added.
When contacted, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said he was not aware of the incident.
"The information has not gotten to my table yet," he said.
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