From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Mr Ogacheko Atanu
The National Care-taker Committee of Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) has condemned in its entirety, the assassination of a Saudi-based oil expert, Ogacheko Atanu who was murdered in cold blood in his house at Idah last Saturday night.
In a statement jointly signed by the chairman and secretary, Chief Samuel Oyibo and Barrister Williams Ameh and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Wednesday, the association lamented the unwarranted killing of Atanu describing the act as a taboo in the land and against the law of our creator, the Almighty God.
While the mystery that surrounded the assassination and spillage of the blood of the innocent illustrious son of Igala ethnic nationality who came into the country for Christmas holiday is yet to be ascertained, the ICDA National Care-taker committee called on the security agencies, especially the Police authority to hunt and fish out the culprits behind the dastardly act, whose actions has desecrated Igala land.
“Here is a pious Igalaman that had decided to abandon his comfort zone in a far away Saudi Arabia for his ancestral home at Idah to celebrate the festive period with his family, friends and colleagues. A social behaviour associated with an average Igala family set up , and highly valued by a typical Igala society.
“But his life was caught short, as he fell to hoodlums’ bullets on the reasons known to them. May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may God give the family and the people of Igala nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, ICDA expressed in a statement.
The Association therefore implored the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba Edeh, to as a matter of urgency, deploy crack team of investigators to the flank of the State in order to establish the reasons why the hoodlums struck , and to bring to book the perpetrators of the crime.
However, the association urged the people of Igala extraction to be conscious of any movement in their environment, assist the law enforcement agencies ,including providing information to the local community policing security arrangements under Col. Suleiman Amodu Babanawa (Rtd), and Col.Sani Tahir and to ward off activities of criminals in the Igala community.
Meanwhile, the National Caretaker Committee of ICDA has congratulated the winner and the new Ohaneze Ndigbo President General, Ambassador George Obiozor.
The National Caretaker Committee leadership of ICDA said the Association has been watching with keen interest the development in the apex Ibo socio-cultural organization and the final resolution that led to a
successful Congress where the leaders of the body emerged last weekend describing the new twist in the cultural association as a welcome development.
