Posted by By PETRUS OBI, Abakaliki on
A 32-year-old widow, in Ukwuinyima Agalagu village, Ebonyi State has been raped and murdered in cold bold. Mrs. Theresa was returning from a burial ceremony Sunday night, July 24, 2005 at about 8pm when she was waylaid and raped to death by unknown persons.
A 32-year-old widow, in Ukwuinyima Agalagu village, Ebonyi State has been raped and murdered in cold bold. Mrs. Theresa was returning from a burial ceremony Sunday night, July 24, 2005 at about 8pm when she was waylaid and raped to death by unknown persons.
One of her late husband's relations, Romanus Egede, who spoke at the grave of the deceased widow, recalled that when she did not come back that Sunday, the family organised a search party that discovered the lifeless body of the woman in the bush.
"We started searching until we found the body lying in the bush. Immediately we got there we saw her pants, bra and head tie scattered in the place. Her wrapper and slippers were also discovered close to the scene. We ran to the police and reported. The police did not, however, come until the next day. A doctor was brought to inspect the corpse, and he confirmed that she was raped and that a hard object was used on her head."
The chairman, Ukwuinyima Agalagu village, Mr. Augustus Oroke, said the entire village had been invited to a meeting where the matter was extensively discussed. "We are still investigating on our own, trying to get information from those who were also at the burial. Some people have accepted seeing her at the burial, but nobody has agreed he spotted her on her way back."
The brother to the deceased mother of four, who is also a permanent secretary in the state, Chief Boniface Mgbebu, expressed regrets that barely a week after the gruesome murder; no headway has been made in investigations.
"It is regrettable that in such a local community, no sign of better information has come up since Sunday to this hour. Rather, what you have is nonchalant attitude.
"I want to appreciate the efforts of the police in the state. Also, I appreciate the efforts of other individuals, but I want to request the police in Ikwo to put more efforts to uncover what has happened. I am not impressed that so far, no arrest has been made in this case.
"At least my sister couldn't have died without making some noise for the nearby compounds to have heard her. People must have seen her coming from the burial, or if she had problems with anybody they should say so."