* Governor condemns jungle justice
The Police in Cross River State have launched a manhunt for the killers of Mrs. Martina Itagbor on June 18, after she was accused of witchcraft in Akamkpa Local Government Area
Mrs. Itagbor was also accused of being behind the death of several youths in her community, including two brothers who died on their way back from Calabar, where they had gone for the inauguration of House of Assembly members.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon Grimah, directed that the perpetrators be tracked down, arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
The CP’s directive was conveyed through a statement by the Command’s PPRO, SP Irene Ugbo, in Calabar, on Saturday.
The commissioner, who described the incident as unfortunate, stressed that no individual or group has the right to take another person’s life under any guise whatsoever.
Fingers chopped off
The deceased, a mother of four, was accused of witchcraft following the death of two brothers in a motor accident.
On the heels of the accusation, she was beaten and her fingers chopped off.
Later, she was set her ablaze by some irate youths of old Netim community in Akamkpa Council.
According to CP Grimah, jungle justice is a heinous crime, which the police frowns at, and would do everything possible to avert a recurrence.
“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 its full cause. We won’t relent until they are in our custody,” CP Grimah assured.
Meanwhile, Governor Bassey Otu has said that the State, is governed by the constitution, warning that no form of brigandage and criminal acts will be tolerated.
His Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, said the governor ordered law enforcement agencies to arrest and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous act are made to face the full wrath of law.
Governor Otu said that the allegation, if proven true, is not only repulsive but barbaric.
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, more so 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.