Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Chapter of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) on Tuesday protested the gruesome murder of one of its members, Casmir Ani, by unknown assailants in the state.
The deceased was killed on Friday night in Abakaliki by the unknown assailants.
His body was found beside his car at Ojeowerri Street in Abakaliki, capital of the State on Saturday morning in a pull of his own blood.
Sources said that several machete cut wounds were seen on the victim’s body believed to have been inflicted by the assailants who remain unknown.
He was until his death, a staff of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA).
He left behind a wife and four kids with the youngest being just three weeks old.
He had served as the Vice Chairman of the Hospital’s Staff Welfare Association in the past and was the Chairman of the Enugu Welfare Association in the Hospital.
His death had thrown the hospital into a mourning mood as staff of the hospital and friends took to social media to mourn him.
On Tuesday, the AMLSN members in the State took to the streets of the state capital Abakaliki to register their displeasure over his killing.
The members, adorned in their traditional white lab coats, carried placards with various inscriptions to drive home their demands.
They also paid a visit to the Police Headquarters in the state where they submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police over the murder of their late colleague.
In the petition signed by the Chairman, Mr Clement Alobu and Secretary, Godwin Nwibo the Union described the killing of Mr Casmir as an ugly incident.
They called for a transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department from the Ekeaba Police station where it was first reported.
Their petition reads: “It is with deep emotional pain and bleeding hearts that we, the members of the above named Association write to inform your office of the gruesome murder of Mr. Casmir Afamefuna Ani who was our member and professional colleague, on the night of Friday, June 10, 2022, around Ojeowere street, Brackenbury street area in Abakaliki.
“With this ugly development, we no longer feel safe to even do our jobs since one of us could be mowed down so easily without any intervention by the law enforcement agents or even the state vigilante outfit.
“Sir, our demands from your office are as follows; An immediate takeover of the case from the EkeAba Police Division by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more robust investigation into the crime.
“Deployment of adequate manpower and logistics that would lead to the prompt track down and arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act, their collaborators and possibly, sponsors.
“To use your good offices to interface with any relevant sister security agency or organization, our Association inclusive, to get the much-needed justice for the grieving young widow and four little kids of our slain colleague, the youngest being just about 3 weeks old so that they could have some closure knowing that those that cut short the life of their husband/father did not get away with their evil act,” they said
The association also promised to offer full cooperation and assist the police with any information that would help in unraveling the mysteries behind the incident.
Reacting the Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Robert Clement, told the protesting Union members that the Police was aware of the incident.
He said the police has launched full scale investigation into the matter and promised that the Police will do all within its powers to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
“We are aware of the matter and we are on it. We will do everything to ensure those responsible ate brought to justice.
“But we need your assistance and cooperation, we can’t do it alone. You will assist us by giving us information and tips and by the grace of God we will get to the bottom of it,” he said.
