Youths protest killing of Anambra community leader
The residents, mainly youths, of Umuoji community in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have protested the killing of the President-General of the community, Chief Sylvester Onyima.
According to the source, the National Youth Leader of Umuoji, Chudi Chikelu, who spearheaded the protest to the Government House in Awka today Friday, expressed their common grievance over the disheartening incident, describing late Onyima as a “big masquerade” which has attracted many developments to Umuoji.
Chikelu also made known their displeasure over the levity hand in handling investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
It was reported that, on Friday, February 24, some gunmen invaded the residence of the late Onyima and shot him dead.
The source revealed that the hoodlums shot him while in the bathroom when he was taking his bath after inflicting him with several machete cuts.
During the protest, Chikelu, who described the deceased as a father to Umuoji youths, revealed that youths were seeking quick Investigations and melting out of justice for the killing of their community leader.
He disclosed that the youths were on the verge of becoming violent before they eventually embarked upon the demonstration, pleading with the state government and security agencies not to forsake them.
“The youths are not happy over the delay in dispensing justice for the deceased. We urge the security agencies to speed up investigations and unmask the killers of our community leader as soon as possible,” he added.
Also speaking during the protest, the President-General of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Titus Akpudo, urged youth to remain calm until the police conclude their investigation.
In another development, ASATU Youth President General, Ken Okoli, also advised everyone to be vigilant of their immediate environment to avoid such death.
During his address, Okoli advised people to make sure they know those who are living in their neighbourhood and stressed that the ASATU family is fully interested in seeing the matter to a logical conclusion.
It was reported that the angry group came to the Government House, chanting songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Delayed Justice is justice denied”, “Injustice to one is an injustice to all”, “Mr Governor, Kindly prevail on the police to expedite action”, among others.
In his response, Ernest Ezeajughi, the Chief of Staff to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, said the state government would ensure that justice is served on the matter.
Ezeajughi said, “What happened affected everyone, including the state government, because the late Onyima was dutifully offering his services before he was cut off.
“The matter is still under investigation, those arrested are still in custody, and the state government is committed to working with the police to ensure that justice is served.”
While asking them not to be double-minded, the Chief of Staff recalled that to demonstrate empathy, the Governor led a one-minute silence session in his honour during one of the executive council meetings.
Ezeajughi stressed that the state government does not want a repeat of such ugly incidents in the state, promising to convey their message to the Governor.
