Imo Family Demands Justice for Alleged Murder of Son, Calls for Investigation

The Njoku family from Okwu Uratta in Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State, has called on the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 9, Umuahia, to investigate the alleged murder of their son, Friday Njoku. The family is seeking justice, claiming that five months after the incident, no action has been taken against the suspected killers.

Friday Njoku, a 26-year-old woodworker, was reportedly killed on April 21, 2024, near Okwu Uratta Health Center. Speaking to journalists in Owerri on Monday, Michael Njoku, the deceased’s uncle and a retired police officer, recounted the events surrounding his nephew’s death.

According to Michael Njoku, shortly after the murder, the community President-General, Austin Oriaku, came to his house to explain what had happened. “Mr. Oriaku told me that the village vigilante had been chasing Friday, accusing him of stealing a door frame from the dilapidated health center. While running, he collapsed and died,” Michael said.

However, Michael Njoku found the explanation suspicious. “When I went to the scene, I saw that Friday had been shot in the back, with bruises all over his body,” he said. This prompted Michael to report the case to the Owerri North Divisional Police Station, accusing Oriaku, Emmanuel Abakporo, Chetachi Abakporo, and others of involvement in the killing.

Michael also alleged that Oriaku requested permission to bury Friday immediately at the scene, claiming that he had already informed the police, who had supposedly approved the burial. “I refused to allow them to bury my nephew without a proper investigation,” Michael added.

In the aftermath of the incident, tensions ran high in the community. Youths from Okwu Uratta protested the attempted burial and, in the process, set fire to the shop of one of the accused, Emmanuel Abakporo. Despite this, the police arrested Nike, one of the youths, on charges of arson, while the suspected killers remained free.

“The police arrested the youth for arson but left the people responsible for my nephew’s murder to walk freely. It’s been five months, and they still haven’t investigated the case,” Michael lamented. The body of Friday Njoku was eventually moved to Aladima Hospital mortuary, but the family has been unable to access it. Michael claimed that the police officer in charge of the mortuary tally has refused to allow any family member to view the corpse.

Frustrated by the lack of action from the police, the Njoku family has petitioned the AIG Zone 9, urging a thorough investigation into Friday’s death. “We just want justice for our son. It’s been five months, and nothing has been done,” Michael said.

When contacted by journalists, the community President-General, Austin Oriaku, refused to comment, stating, “I am in a meeting; please don’t disturb me.” Additionally, Zone 9 Police Public Relations Officer, SP Kingsley Iredibia, promised to provide more information but had not responded by the time this report was filed.