- 11 on the list of suspects.
Bassey Otu, the Cross River State governor, has ordered with immediate effect the arrest of some youths of Old Netim community in Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State, fingered in the brutal burning to death of Martina Okey Itagbor, on suspicion of witchcraft.
Security sources in Calabar, informed that those on the wanted list in connection with the burning to death of the woman are, Emem Etim Umoh, Enearokot Omonga Peter, Stephen ‘Pompori’ Obaji, Destiny Ime Brown, Joseph Omonga Orok, Eyu Adogo, Louis Bassey Peter, Orok Okon Orok, Mesembe Anembe, Malachi Sylvanus and Thelfa Okon Nyong.
In a government statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the State governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche and released early Saturday, Otu maintained that, “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.”
“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.”
The governor who condoled the family of the deceased, further emphasized that anyone found taking laws into their hands will have their day in court.
The action of the youths, has so far drawn outrage across the country and beyond, prompting the mounting of pressure by civil society and several concerned people that the state government must prosecute perpetrators of this heinous act to deter others from towing the same path.
