Groups of activists known as Citizens’ Solution Network and Agba Jalingo Foundation for Investigative and Accountability Journalism have mounted pressures on the Cross River State Police Command to arrest a ruthless gang who cut off the fingers of a woman accused of witchcraft and set her ablaze on a major road.
The incident reportedly happened a few days ago in the New Netim area of Akamkpa LGA of the state.
The accused, Martina Okey Itagbor was alleged to be responsible for the ghastly car accident which claimed the life of a mother of two boys in the community via witchcraft.
The state police command, PRO, Irene Ugbo has, however, revealed that an investigation has since been launched into the brutal murder of the woman, and will certainly bring the suspects to book.
“We are aware and are investigating the matter. Suspects will be brought to book”, she told journalists.
In a statement issued on Friday 30th June 2023, and signed by one of the leaders, Agba Jalingo, the accused Martina Okey Itagbor should not have been executed extrajudicially by a misguided and bloodthirsty gang.
They have insisted that the woman’s soul must get justice from the state.
The group urged the Police to realise that the gruesome murder of Mrs Itagbor is one extrajudicial killing that has become too many in parts of the state.
The groups described the murder as primitive and unacceptable, adding that “such incidents keep occurring in the state because those who kill innocent women, who they don’t like their faces in their local community go scot-free without any repercussions due to the visible refusal of the Cross River State Police Command to arrest, prosecute and ensure that those who take the lives of others get to face the full wrath of the law.
“We want the State Police Command and the Resident Police Commissioner to swing into action to have the gang of murderers (led by one Christopher Sunday) arrested and prosecuted for taking the life of Mrs. Martina Okey Itagbor after chopping her fingers off and burning her to death in Old Netim, Akamkpa Local Government Area, after using the pretext of accusing her of being a witch.
“We want to see that justice is served as we condemn the murder of Mrs. Martina Okey Itagbor in the strongest terms.
“The Police Command should rise to the occasion to preempt further killings of old women who are defenceless in the face of hostility from unexpected quarters.
“The older and defenceless female population should get protected from summary torture, humiliation and killings.”
Late Itagbor, a member of the Catholic Women Organization CWO, was said to have been burnt alive in front of the Catholic Church by the daring gang while the same CWO was meeting, alongside Itagbor’s daughter.
Itagbor’s daughter was said to have been held down while her mother was being burnt.
Witnesses also alleged that the gang has been threatening the daughter.
The groups have alleged that when two Catholic priests, Reverend Father Daniel Omonga and a colleague, were also involved in a ghastly car accident, the same youths went berserk and killed four chiefs in the community and burnt houses and properties worth millions of Naira.
The gang alleged that the four chiefs that were murdered were witches and wizards, which reason they acted.
The groups have claimed to have obtained 14 names of the irate youths who participated in the murder of Mrs. Martina Okey Itagbor, adding that the two leaders are Christopher Sunday Mbey (Leader) and Festus Etim Umoh (Deputy Leader).
Others are Emem Etim Umoh, Enearokot Omonga Peter, Stephen aka Pompori/Obaji, Destiny Ime Brown, Joseph Omonga Orok, Eyu Adogo, Louis Bassey Peter, Orok Okon Orok, Mesembe Anembe, Malachi Sylvanus and Thelfa Okon Nyong.
The groups stated that the people of New Netim are living in fear of the gang, and called the police to act and restore confidence in the people.
“Since nothing happened to any of them, they have been emboldened to continue with this barbarism. That’s why we are calling on the Nigeria Police to please move into that community immediately and do their work. No one should be given the impression that they have a free pass to take other people’s lives without retribution.”
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