Hundreds of youths from Umuoji community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, on Friday, stormed the State Government House, along the Enugu-Onitsha highway Awka, to protest what they script as Justice delayed for it slain President General, late Chief Silas Onyima.
Nigerian Tribune earlier reported that the late President General was murdered at his Umuoji countryhome by suspected assassins last weekend.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said four suspected have so far been arrested and investigation to unveil the circumstances behind the act is still ongoing.
But the Youth leader, Comrade Chudi Chikelu, who spoke to Journalists shortly after the protest, said the community is yet to get updates from the police authority.
They called on the state governor Prof Charles Soludo to kindly prevail on the police to expedite action on the matter.
Responding on behalf of the State Government, the Chief of Staff Governor Soludo, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, while expressing sadness over the gruesome act, assured the youths that the government in collaboration with the police will do everything humanly possible to ensure that those behind the dastardly act are persecuted accordingly.
The Chief of Staff revealed that what happened affected everyone, including the state government, because, the late Chief Onyima was dutifully offering his services before he was cut off.
He pointed out that the matter is still under investigation, saying that those arrested are still in custody, stating that government is committed to working with the police to ensure that justice is served.
While asking them not to be double-minded, the Chief of Staff recalled that to demonstrate empathy, the Governor led a one-minute silence session in his honour, during one of the executive council meetings.
Mr. Ezeajughi stressed that the state government does not want a repeat of such ugly incidents in the state, promising to convey their message to the Governor.
President Generals of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, Barrister Titus Akpudo called for calm until the police conclude their investigation, while the ASATU Youth President General, Comrade Ken Okoli advised everyone to be vigilant of their immediate environment, to avoid such death, called on the people to make sure they know those living in their neighbourhood and emphasized that ASATU family is fully interested in seeing the matter to logical conclusion.
The protesters were seen with various inscriptions such as; Mr. Governor kindly prevail on the police to expedite action, the blood of Chief Silas Onyima cries for justice, Umuoji youths demand justice our slain President General, Justice delayed justice denied, injustice to one is injustice to all, amongst others.
