Sudden demise of a Nigerian Parliament Member

A Nigerian Member of Parliament in the State of Anambra was allegedly murdered by gunmen. According to reports, Okechukwu Okoye’s mutilated body and head were discovered dumped in different locations on the streets in Anambra on Saturday, May 21st.

The gruesome discovery was made after Okoye was kidnapped with his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, on May 15th. It has been confirmed that both men lost their lives. A public relations officer for the police confirmed the events on the same day. 

The events occurred in the south eastern state of Anambra. The incident caused outrage in the community and state. Governor of Anambra, Charles Soludo, condemned the incident. His office released a statement speaking out against the violent event.

“The governor is still in shock over the barbaric acts against his two kinsmen, vowing that the perpetrators, as well as all criminals operating in Anambra must be decisively brought to book,” the statement said, further promising action against the alleged perpetrators of the crime.

Governor Soludo promised a reward of 10 million Nairas ($24,000) to anyone who provided vital information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.  

The south eastern region of Nigeria has experienced an increase in kidnappings and killings. The Nigerian government has directed these accusations at a group of separatists known as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).  

Still on the news…..  sudden demise of a parliament member by gunmen

A lawyer for the IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, also released a statement. The statement titled Strangers in Our Land denies any responsibility on the part of the IPOB, condemns the killing of Okoye, and asks the well-meaning people in the area to stand up against the gunmen terrorizing the area.

“I therefore strongly condemn in unmistaken terms, this dastardly act in its entirety and consequently, call on security agencies and every Anambrabrian to unite towards defending our land from these monsters desecrating it.

These criminal elements, regardless of their ethnic affiliations, must be crushed. We must free our land from them. The hour is here! My heart indeed bleeds!” Ejiofor wrote in the statement.

“We must secure our region and reclaim our identity, which our forefathers toiled so hard to build for us. Enough is enough! We must all join hands together to ensure that peace and order are restored to the South-East region, as a matter of urgency. May God deliver our land,” he concluded. 

Unraveling the Killers of this Parliament Member…

According to reports, the group that might be responsible for the acts of violence has settled and created a camp in Anambra. It is alleged that the group of gunmen has set up camp in an area called Unubi and is unleashing their terror from there.

An anonymous eyewitness account on social media summarized how the group harassed and targeted people in the area. According to the witness, the group of gunmen was on a violent rampage that resulted in the chase of a man in a Lexus motor vehicle.

The man managed to escape the gang, leaving his vehicle behind, which the gunmen claimed as their own. The witness concluded his account by warning those that would visit that area of Anambra not to come until the security situation improves. 

In a worrying turn of events, another politically active person, Uzozie Chukwujekwu, was abducted in the early morning of Saturday, May 21st. Chukwujekwu, a farmer and advisor to a former politician in the area, was abducted from his home.

His only son was shot in the stomach by the gunmen for refusing to open the gate to their home. He was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment. The police in the area confirmed that they were investigating the incident and had launched an operation to rescue Chukwujekwu.