…a heinous crime, jungle justice – CP Grimah
…Governor Otu orders the arrest of 14 alleged perpetrators.
The Cross River State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the alleged killers of Mrs Martina Itagbor, who was accused of witchcraft on June 18th in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.
Mrs. Itagbor was accused of witchcraft as well as being responsible for the deaths of several young people in her community, including two brothers who died on their way back from the inauguration of House of Assembly members in Calabar.
CP Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, ordered that the perpetrators be tracked down, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
This was revealed in a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar on Saturday by the Command’s PPRO, SP Irene Ugbo.
The Commissioner, who called the incident unfortunate, emphasised that no individual or group has the right to take another person’s life under any circumstances.
Mrs Itagbor, a mother of four, was accused of witchcraft following the death of two brothers in a horrific car accident, according to Vanguard.
Following the accusations, the mother of four was beaten, had her fingers cut off, and was set ablaze by some enraged youths from the Old Netim community in Akamkpa LGA.
According to CP Grimah, jungle justice is a heinous crime that the police will do everything possible to prevent from happening again because no one has the right to take someone’s life.
“The issue of jungle justice is one that the Police Department does not take lightly, and as such, we have already begun a manhunt for those responsible for the heinous act.”
“Those responsible, no matter how high-ranking, will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
“We are going to treat them like criminals, and no stone will be left unturned in this matter, they can only run but will not hide, enough is enough, jungle justice is not the solution.”
“All those involved in Mrs Itagbor’s murder will be brought to justice, and the law will take its full course; we will not relent until they are in our custody,” CP Grimah said assured.
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Meanwhile, the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has stated that the state, like the rest of the country, is governed by the constitution and that no form of brigandage or criminal acts will be tolerated.
According to his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, the governor directed law enforcement to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Gov. Otu stated that if proven true, the allegation is not only repulsive but also barbaric against all civility.
“My attention has been drawn to the alleged burning to death of a state citizen, Madam Martina Itagbor of Old Netim in Akamkpa LGA of the State by some unscrupulous, wild, and criminally minded youths,” Otu said.
“It is sheer savagery and cowardice for youths or anyone to take the laws into their own hands, especially when it involves a helpless woman.”
“Such heinous acts have no place in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, of which our state is a part.” Our people must eliminate all cultural relics that promote violence, murder, and criminality, such as this one.
“To that end, I am directing the state’s Commissioner of Police to mobilise all tactical and investigative assets in order to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.”
“I would also like to warn against all such acts, as we have laws and statutes in place to deal with such wrongdoings and disagreements.”
“As a People’s First Administration, my administration will be intolerant of acts capable of breaching the peace, endangering citizens and businesses, and portraying the state in a negative light.”
“I urge all community leaders, religious institutions, and civil society organisations to do more in the area of civic education while championing the crusade for tolerance and respecting constituted authority, especially amongst our youths, as anyone found taking the laws into their own hands will be made to face justice,” Governor Otu said.
