CLO condemns alleged murder of trader in Onitsha

CLO condemns alleged murder of trader in Onitsha

By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha

The Anambra State chapter of Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Wednesday, condemned in totality, the alleged murder of a trader, late Mr. Arinze Obunadike, at the Ogbogwu section of the Onitsha Bridge head market by Special Anti Tout Squad set up by the State government.

Making the condemnation through its state chairman, comrade Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme, the organization discribed the murder as great disdain, barbaric, inhuman and despicable.

In a press statement he signed with his secretary, Chidi Mbah, and issued to newsmen in Onitsha, tagged, "if gold rust, what will happen to iron", meaning, according to him, "if the citadel of justice is corrupt what will happen to the body politics".

He added further, "Similarly if those saddled with the responsibility of protecting, serving and caring for citizenry become threat, nightmare and problems to the citizens, the future will be very bleak and unbearable".

Recall that CLO during the inauguration of the Special Anambra State Anti-Touting Squad, advised them to be civil, decorum, law-abiding and patriotic while discharging their duties.

CLO equally called on State government to ensure training and retraining of personnel to ensure strict compliance on government mandate and rules of engagement.

"We call for discreet and indepth investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the dastardly killing of 34 years old hapless trader and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others.

"Government should take very urgent and immediate measures to ensure that this matter will not be swept under the carpet and caution appropriately members of various task forces and agencies to forestall future occurrences of this devilish and detestable act.

"Pertinently, we pray for eternal repose of his gentle and humble soul and for God to give his family and loved ones the grace and fortitude to bear and endure the irreparable and irreplaceable loss," he prayed.

However, an eye witness, comrade Vincent Udeh, described the action of the government officials as hallmark of man's inhumanity against man.

He called for prompt prosecution of the perpetrators to help prevent future occurrence adding that the operations of the squad must be closely monitored.