*His death
has no link with Ekeukwu market relocation, says Okorocha
• Police
begins investigation as Zinox boss sues for peace
The parents
of Somtochukwu, the 10- year-old boy who was killed in the stampede
that
followed the demolition of Ekeukwu Market in Owerri, Imo State, Mr. and Mrs.
Ibeanusi, have called for justice over the killing of their son.
They
lamented that the deceased was their only son and their source of hope and
charged the Imo State government to bring his killers to book.
However, as
controversies trail the demolition of the Ekeukwu Owere Market, on Douglas
Road, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its
Publicity Secretary, Ray Emeanya, yesterday directed that the party to mourn
Sontochukwu by attending special Church services in honour of the departed.
Emeanya, who
visited the deceased’ family at the weekend, also directed PDP members to
observe the mourning period, by wearing black band in honour of the slain boy.
Also, in
spite of the quit order, scores of traders carried out their transactions in
the market yesterday, while others plied their trade at the Relief Market, off
Egbu Road, Owerri.
But as the
controversy rages, Governor Rochas Okorocha, yesterday insisted that the
killing of Somtochukwu during the demolition of the Ekeukwu Owere, had nothing
to do with the exercise.
A statement
signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, maintained that he needed
to be convinced after 72 hours that the boy was killed within the vicinity.
Meanwhile,
the Imo State Police Command has assured that it has commenced investigation
into the alleged killing of Somtochukwu during the demolition exercise last
weekend.
The Police
Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of
Police, said this in a statement yesterday, while also warning against hate
speeches.
“The Police
Command has begun full scale investigation into the alleged death of one
Somtochukwu Ibeanusi, reported to the Police on August 27, 2017. Investigators have
interviewed the parents and will stop at nothing in ensuring that the
circumstances and ramifications of the matter are unraveled,” the statement
said.
Also, in
continuing its demolition exercise, the Imo State government yesterday rolled
it bulldozers on the Ama Hausa Market, where the Hausa people had lived for
years on Douglas Road following years of clamouring for its demolition.
The exercise
came 24 hours after the relocation order to Ekeukwu Owere and Ama
Hausa.However, Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has called on the people
of Imo State to allow peace to reign in the aftermath of the crisis and
reported loss of lives, which trailed the demolition of the market.
Ekeh, who
hails from Owerri, announced a donation of N50million to be disbursed to
victims of the market demolition and those who lost members of their families
in last Saturday’s demolitions.
0 Comments