Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Outrage and condemnation have trailed the beheading of a 70-year-old chieftain of the ruling Labour Party in Abia State, Mr Zachary Maduka, a k.a Power Zac.
The victim was reportedly attacked by armed hoodlums at a joint in his community, Uturu.
Reacting to the horrible incident the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, strongly condemned the act, and called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.
Similarly, the Coalition of South-East Youths for Democracy, CSEYD, has also expressed shock and rage over the wicked act, and tasked security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and unearth the perpetrators.
COSEYL in a statement issue by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, tasked the police to immediately fish out Maduka’s murderers.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “The gruesome murder and beheading of Zachary by yet to be identified criminals is wicked, barbaric, villainous and we condemn it in its entirety.
“It is very disheartening that such a man who worked tirelessly for the betterment of his community will be killed in such a gruesome manner,” COSEYL said.
The statement urged youths in the area to assist security agencies with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
“We call on the youths of Ezieke Akpukpa village and Uturu community to mobilise themselves and assist the police and other security agencies in search of those who committed this great wickedness against humanity.”
COSEYL further tasked the Commissioner of Police to mobilise his men against hoodlums.
“The Commissioner of Police in Abia State CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, should be on top of his game to arrest and prosecute those criminals who committed this wickedness against humanity. These criminals desecrated the land and they must be arrested to face the full weight of the law.”
In a separate statement, CSEYD, a pro-democracy organisation based in the South-East, equally expressed shock and rage over the incident,” and urged security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the effort to fish those behind the dastardly act.
CSEYD, in the statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Fabulous Wisdom, condoled with the family of the bereaved.
The group called for improved security in South-East to tame the rising insecurity in the region.
