U-Report: CD Gives Police Ultimatum To Unravel Killers Of Journalist

Abubakar; Nigeria's Police Chief

Report By: Campaign For Democracy South-East Region Publicity Arm

The Campaign for Democracy (CD), South-East Region has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Mr Ballah Nasarawa, Anambra Commissioner of Police, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder of Editor Ikechukwu Udendu of Anambra News Magazine.

Udendu was murdered by yet to be identified gunmen on Saturday, Jan. 12, between 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. when his abandoned lifeless body was recovered by his relative at Afor-Nkpor Market in Idemili North LGA, Anambra State.

This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen by CD in Onitsha , Anambra on Saturday.

The statement was signed by Dede Uzor A. Uzor, Chairman, CD South-East Region.

``The fact of the matter is that his death is a suspicious one; which portrays the consistent threats to the lives of journalists and human rights activists in Anambra State.

``Just last year, about 7,000 journalists were killed around the World; with Nigeria accounting for the highest number as a result of insurgency of Boko Haram.

``While over 300 human rights activists were jailed over their political believes and utterances against perceived injustices done to ordinary citizens of various countries.

``It is now a tradition to kill journalists and lock-up human rights activists with impunity,’’ it said.

The statement said that CD was giving Nasarawa and the state Director of Department for State Security Services seven-days to produce those behind the heinous crime.

``If the killers are not found within the stipulated time, CD would call for the total overhauling of security agencies as well as urging the media to boycott any activity relating to security agencies in Anambra State,’’ it said.

Meanwhile, CD thanks Nasarawa for setting up a high-powered investigation team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abeh in-charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka to unravel the circumstances leading to the public flogging of Mrs Chika Obikwelu by Mr John Mark, DPO Fegge Police Division.

The statement recalled that Obikwelu, who is a widow and a mother of five, was flogged and detained on Dec. 15, 2012 for bringing food to her detained relative at Fegge Police Division in Onitsha. She was later detained and released after three days by the DPO.

``However CD wants the investigation to be thorough, made public and anybody found wanting should be duly punished and adequate compensation paid to the widow,’’ it said.