POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR KILLERS OF WOMAN ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT IN CROSS RIVER
The Cross River State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the alleged killers of a woman accused of witchcraft in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State.
The State Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah directed that the perpetrators be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
This is contained in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Irene Ugbo on Saturday.
The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, who described the incident as unfortunate, noted that no person had the right to take another life under any guise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the deceased, Martina Itagbor, a mother of four was accused of witchcraft, following the death of two young men in a car crash that injured many.
Consequently, the mother of four was beaten and burnt to death by some youths of the Old Ntem community in the Akamkpa council area of Cross River.
The Police in the State further said the heinous crime was one, the Police frowned at and would do everything necessary to ensure such did not repeat itself.
According to him: “The issue of jungle justice is one crime that the Police do not take lightly, and as such, we have already commenced a manhunt for those responsible for the dastardly act.
“Those responsible, no matter highly placed, will be arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land”.
Meanwhile, Governor Bassey Otu has declared that the state, like every other part of the country, is governed by constitutional order and that no form of brigandage and criminal acts will be tolerated.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, Governor Otu directed the law enforcement agency to arrest and ensure that the full weight of the laws full fall on the perpetrators.
The governor said that the allegation if proven to be true, was repulsive and against all civility.
“My attention has been drawn to the alleged burning to death of a citizen of the state in Akammkpa Local Government Area of the state by some unscrupulous, wild and criminally-minded youths.
“It is sheer savagery and cowardice for the youths or anybody to take the laws into their hands, more so, involving a helpless woman.
The Governor said: “Such abhorrent acts have no place in our Constitutional Democracy that Nigeria practices, which our State is part of.
“Our people must do away with all relics of culture that promote violence, murder and criminality, such as in this instance.
“To this end, I am directing 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.
“I further wish to warn against all of such acts as we have laws and statutes to deal with such wrongdoings and disagreements”.