Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Cross Rivers State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the killing and burning of a suspected female witch identified as Madam Martina Okey Itagbor
She was said to have been brutally murdered by youths of Old Netim in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state right in front of the village Catholic Church while a Catholic Women’s Organisation (CWO) meeting was said to be holding.
The cruel killing and burning of the woman by the ignorant murderers has created tension in the area.
Spokesperson of the state command, Irene Ugbo, said the state commissioner has ordered a thorough investigation into the sacrilege.
A Nigerian journalist and activist, Agba Jalingo, shared the story via his Facebook page where he disclosed that Itagbor, was a member of the CWO.
According to him, she was killed by 14 youths led by one Christopher Sunday Mbey after another woman at CWO had accused her of killing her two sons in a fatal accident.
He said one of Martina’s daughters, who is also a member of the CWO, was inside the church too while her mother was burning in the fire and was not allowed to come out to do anything to help her.
Jalingo identified the alleged killers as Christopher Sunday Mbey (Leader); Festus Etim Umoh (Dep. Leader); 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.
The police spokesperson, Ugbo, who confirmed the incident, said names of the culprits have been released and they are working to investigate them.
Itagbor also debunked the claim that Martina was killed in the presence of police officers who did nothing to avert the tragedy.
“Some names of the youths have been released and we are working to investigate if they were truly involved and the evidence against them.
“The allegation is not true. No policeman was there when they were carrying out their barbaric act.
“What they did was a jungle justice and there is a punishment for that in law and no police will be watching them doing that.”