Police starts manhunt for killers of woman accused of witchcraft

The murderers of Mrs. Martina Itagbor, who was accused of witchcraft in the state’s Akamkpa Local Government Area on June 18, are being sought by the Cross River State Police Command.

The murderers of Mrs. Martina Itagbor, who was accused of witchcraft in the state’s Akamkpa Local Government Area on June 18, are being sought by the Cross River State Police Command.

CP Gyogon Grimah, the police commissioner, issued an order directing the pursuit, capture, and legal prosecution of the offenders.

This information was released to the media on Saturday in the state capital of Calabar by SP Irene Ugbo, the Command’s PPRO.

The Commissioner emphasized that no person or organization has the right to take another life under any pretext whatsoever while describing the situation as regrettable.

Following the passing of two brothers in a car accident, it was learnt that the dead, Mrs. Itagbor, a mother of four, had been accused of witchcraft.

The mother of four was attacked and had her fingers cut off shortly after the charges.

Some enraged youngsters from the Old Netim neighborhood in Akamkpa Council then set her on fire.

CP Grimah claims that because no one has the right to take another person’s life, the police take the practice of “jungle justice” seriously and will stop at nothing to prevent it from happening again.

“The issue of jungle justice is one crime that the Police does not take lightly and, as such, we have already commenced manhunt for those responsible for the dastardly act.

“Those responsible, no matter how highly placed, will be arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land.

“We are going to treat them like the criminals that they are, and no stone would be left unturned on this matter.

“They can only run but won’t hide. Enough is enough. Jungle justice is not the solution.

“All those involved in the murder of Mrs Itagbor would be brought to book, and the law will take it’s full cause. We won’t relent until they are in our custody,” CP Grimah assured.

Senator Bassey Otu, the governor of Cross River State, has stated that no type of brigandage or criminal activity will be tolerated because the state, like the rest of the nation, is controlled by the constitution.

The governor gave law enforcement agencies the go-ahead to make arrests and make sure that those responsible face the full force of the law, according to a statement from his chief press secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche.

If accurate, the accusation, according to Governor Otu, is not only disgusting but also savage.

Otu said; “My attention has been drawn to the alleged burning to death of a citizen of the state, Madam Martina Itagbor of Old Netim in Akamkpa LGA by some unscrupulous, wild and criminally-minded youths.

“It is sheer savagery and cowardice for the youths or anybody to take the laws into their hands, moreso involving a helpless woman.

“Such abhorrent acts have no place in our constitutional democracy that Nigeria practices which our state is part of.

“Our people must do away with all relics of culture that promotes violence, murder and criminality such as in this instance.

“To this end, I am directing the Commissioner of Police in the state to mobilize all tactical and investigative assets and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice.

“I further wish to warn against all of such acts as we have laws and statutes to deal with such of wrongdoings and disagreements.

“As an administration committed to the People’s First Agenda, my administration will be intolerant to acts capable of breaching the peace, endangering citizens and businesses and portraying the state in a bad light.

“I urge all community leaders, religious institutions and civil society organisations to do more in the area of civic education while championing the crusade for tolerance and respecting constituted authority, especially amongst our youths as anyone found taking the laws into their hands will be made to have their day in court,” Governor Otu said.