By Ovat Abeng
A delegation from the Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area staged a peaceful protest at the Central Police Station (CPS) in Onitsha on Sunday, demanding justice for the “gruesome killing” of 42-year-old Mr. Emeka Okafor.
The protesters, led by the President General of the Ogboji Town Union, Hon. Ndubuisi Nwaedozie, are calling on Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and the state police command to intervene and uncover the truth behind the incident.
The deceased, who served as a supervisor at a boxer shorts factory located at No. 17 Aforbe Street, Odekpe Road, was allegedly falsely accused of theft before being killed. Community leaders claim that on Saturday of last week, at approximately 3:00 AM, Mr. Okafor was beaten and thrown from a four-storey building housing the factory.
READ ALSO: 2027: Diaspora Group, Pillars of Equity Set for Mega Rally to Support Otu, Ekpenyong
“We are here to register our pains and to appeal to the police authority to speed up the investigation,” stated Hon. Nwaedozie. “We cannot afford to lose a promising 42-year-old man just like that. We want those behind this to face the same fate.”
Speaking through tears, the victim’s younger brother, Mr. Sunday Egoujiofor, alleged that the killing was a “gang-style” execution carried out by co-workers. He suggested that his brother was targeted for his loyalty to the factory owner, Mr. Anthony, an indigene of Nnewi.
“My late brother called me two weeks ago saying the wife of his employer had been threatening to deal with him for no reason,” Egoujiofor alleged. He further claimed that his brother was blindfolded and locked in a room for three days before being thrown to his death.
“He was 42, with no wife or children. Everything he labored for in this world is gone just like that,” he added.
Responding to the protesters on behalf of the division, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olusegun Kayode urged the community members not to take the law into their own hands. He confirmed that several suspects have already been arrested and announced that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Awka for a more thorough probe.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, also confirmed the incident. He assured the public that the command is working with all available information to ensure justice is served, noting that an autopsy will be conducted to assist in the findings.
The protest saw a significant turnout of community leaders, including Onowu Ogboji, Evang. Kay Anyacho; the Councillor representing Ogboji Ward, Hon. Ikechukwu Nwokoye; and the APGA Councillorship candidate, Mr. Ernest Chidozie Uba. Other family members, including the deceased’s sibling, Mr. Enuma Okafor, were also present to demand accountability for the tragic loss.
