Cross River Governor Orders Arrest, Prosecution Of 14 Gangsters, Others Who Burnt Aged Woman To Death

Bassey Otu, the Cross River State Governor, has issued a new directive to the police.

He directed the state Commissioner of Police, to fish out and arrest the 14 persons and others reportedly involved in the maiming and burning of Madam Martina Okey Itagbor of Old Netim in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

SaharaReporters had reported that some youths burnt the woman to death in the state after accusing her of witchcraft and causing the death of two people in a motor accident.

Omoyele Sowore, the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 presidential election, had condemned the burning of the woman, while urging security agencies to immediately fish out the youths who carried out the barbaric crime and bring them to justice.

The human rights activist had said there should be no place in society for such savagery and cruelty, adding that the police stood by while the helpless poor woman burnt.

A lawyer, James Ibor, who exposed the barbaric incident on his Facebook page, had been calling for justice for the deceased using #Justice4MartinaItagbor.

A gory video of the incident obtained by SaharaReporters shows the half-naked woman being burnt to death in the middle of a paved road by some youths who had gathered around.

In a statement released on Saturday morning and signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, Otu said, “I have directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to mobilise all tactical and investigative assets and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice.”

“Our people must do away with all relics of culture that promote violence, murder and criminality such as in this instance. Let me warn against such acts as we have laws and statutes to deal with issues of wrongdoings and disagreements.

“As an administration committed to the People’s First Agenda, my administration will be intolerant to acts capable of breaching the peace, endangering citizens and businesses and portraying the state in a bad light.”

Otu called on all community leaders, religious institutions and civil society organizations to do more in the area of civic education while championing the crusade for tolerance and respecting constituted authority, especially amongst our youths.

Condoling the family of the deceased and community, Otu emphasized that anyone found taking laws into their hands will have their day in court.

Other gangsters allegedly involved in the lynching of Madam Itagbor have reportedly been identified as Emem Etim Umoh, Enearokot Omonga Peter, Stephen aka Pompori/Obaji, Destiny Ime Brown, Joseph Omonga Orok, Eyu Adogo, Louis Bassey Peter, Orok Okon Orok, Mesembe Anembe, Malachi Sylvanus and Thelfa Okon Nyong.