Youths protest killing of Anambra neighborhood chief

Some members of the Umuoji community in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, mainly youths, have protested the killing of the President-General of the community, Chief Sylvester Onyima.

The National Youth Leader of Umuoji, Chudi Chikelu, who led the protest to the Government House in Awka on Friday, expressed displeasure over the unfortunate incident, describing late Onyima as a “big masquerade” which has attracted many developments to Umuoji.

Chikelu expressed displeasure over the delay in the investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Some gunmen had, on Friday, February 24, invaded the resident of the late Onyima and shot him dead.

It was gathered that the hoodlums shot him right in the bathroom while he was taking his bath after inflicting him with several machete cuts.

During the demonstration, Chikelu, who described the deceased as a father to Umuoji youths, revealed that youths were seeking the quick dispensation of justice for the killing of their community leader.

He added 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 demonstration, the President-General of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Titus Akpudo, called for calm until the police conclude their investigation.

The ASATU Youth President General, Ken Okoli, also advised everyone to be vigilant of their immediate environment to avoid such death.

Okoli called on the people to make sure they know those living in their neighbourhood and stressed that the ASATU family is fully interested in seeing the matter to a logical conclusion.

The 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.

While responding, 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.