Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has directed the state police Commissioner to immediately arrest the 14 persons and others reportedly involved in the maiming and burning of Madam Martina Okey Itagbor of Old Netim in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.
The hapless mother of four, gruesomely murdered a few days ago, was accused of witchcraft by the persons led by one Christopher Sunday and Festus Etim Umoh.
In a statement released early Saturday morning and signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, Otu said, “I have directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to mobilise all tactical and investigative assets and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice.”
Otu described the killing as sheer savagery and cowardice for the youths or anybody to take the laws into their hands, more so, involving a helpless woman.
He said such abhorrent acts have no place in the constitutional democracy that Nigeria practices which the state is part of.
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“Our people must do away with all relics of culture that promote violence, murder and criminality such as in this instance. Let me warn against such acts as we have laws and statutes to deal with issues of wrongdoings and disagreements.
“As an administration committed to the People’s First Agenda, my administration will be intolerant to acts capable of breaching the peace, endangering citizens and businesses and portraying the state in a bad light.”
Otu called on all community leaders, religious institutions and civil society organizations to do more in the area of civic education while championing the crusade for tolerance and respecting constituted authority, especially amongst our youths.
Condoling the family of the deceased and community, Otu emphasized that anyone found taking laws into their hands will have their day in court.
Other gangsters allegedly involved in the lynching of Madam Itagbor have reportedly been identified as 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.