By Emmanuel Ndukuba
Awka, May 20, 2024 – Two persons were killed and one abducted when suspected gunmen attacked Okija community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state.
It was gathered that one of those killed was the Secretary General of Okija Progressive Union, Mr Peter Awa, a lawyer.
The other was Izuchukwu Igwenagha, popularly known in the area as (Onwa), while the
third person was abducted over what some people described as a land dispute. The incident happened on Sunday’s night.
While Okija Secretary, who was also the Chancellor of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Okija Sub Council, was killed in a market square in his Umudioka village, Izuchukwu Igwenagha was murdered in his Isieke village.
Meanwhile, the business man kidnapped at Nkwo Okija while he was driving home from a function, had not been identified.
The Okija Secretary was elected in 2023 during a town union election conducted by the Anambra Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters.
Also, there was an attempt to kidnap his wife, also a lawyer, at Ihiala, which failed.
It was further gathered that he attended a village meeting few hours before his assassination.
Confirming the killing of Mr Awa, the Anambra Police Command Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga on Monday said investigation about the murder has begun.
“The Command Operatives have begun an investigation into the murder of Bar. Peter Awah, Secretary of Okija Development Union yesterday 19/5/2024 by 11:00 pm at Eke Umudioka, Okija,” he said.
He said that the preliminary information revealed that the assailants operating in motorbikes, shot the deceased as he was about to alight his vehicle for safety when he was approached by the Murderers.
“Meanwhile, some eyewitnesses have provided details that are already aiding the investigation,” Ikenga added.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while commiserating with the family and friends of the deceased, the Nigeria Bar Association, the people of Okija as well as the State, directs the immediate transfer of the case to the Homicide section of the Criminal Investigation Department, Awka for a comprehensive probe.
