CRIME & COURT

Ritual murder of 72-year-old woman sparks xenophobia in Anambra

The death of Charity Okoli, a 72-year-old victim of ritual murder, has sparked xenophobia in Umunze town of Anambra state against natives of neighbouring Ebonyi state. One Onyebuchi Ezeh, a domestic staff to Okoli, had reputedly conspired with two others currently at large to harvest the septuagenarian organs. The suspect is a native of Abakiliki in Ebonyi. The suspects cut off their victims breast, nipples, fingers and genitals in what is suspected to be a ritual murder.

On Tuesday, the late Okoli’s townsmen decided to stage a protest over the incident, paralyzing commercial activities. The protesters marched on the police headquarters and the palace of the community’s traditional ruler, Igwe Promise Eze, among others.

Mrs Enekwechi Bridget, who led the protest, said they demand justice. The protesters equally asked that non-natives believed to be perpetrators of crimes should leave their town.

In his reaction, the traditional ruler said that non-indigenes continue to commit atrocities in the town but urged his aggrieved subjects to show restraints.

“I have told the police command that the suspect must be charged to court for murder and they have assured me that the matter would not be swept under the carpet. I have instructed the youth to exercise restraint while awaiting the outcome of the case,” he said.

 

 

 

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