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…Releases another N5m to five communities in Ozalla for investigations

Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

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Bearing various placards, men, women and youths from Ozalla Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu state have protested the heinous killing of their son, Engr. Dons Udeh.

Led by the President General of Ozalla Development Union, Barr. Charles Nwa gbara, the protesters who kicked off from the popular Okpara Square in the Independence Layout axis of the state, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, called on security agents to bring the perpetrators of the act to book.

Adorned with black-all-through garments, the protesters made a stop at the state government house to demand for justice and appeal to the governor for further intervention in the matter.

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Addressing them, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State announced a cash reward of N5 million for any person or group that provides information to the Nigeria Police that would lead to the arrest of those involved in the murder of the former State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 general election, Engr. Dons Udeh.

Governor Ugwuanyi also approved the release of another N5million, one million naira each, to the five communities in Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area where the late Udeh hailed from, to assist them in their separate and collective investigations towards unraveling those behind the death of their son.

Expressing deep concern over the matter, the governor commiserated with the family of late Engr. Udeh and the entire people of Ozalla, describing Udeh’s death as painful and a great loss not only to his family and community but also to the entire state.

Governor Ugwuanyi, therefore, disclosed that the N5million bounty will be made available to the Nigeria Police, Enugu State Command, while the other N5million will be released to the five communities in Ozalla.

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The governor disclosed that he had detailed the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Ahmed Ammani and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, DCP Fidelis Ogarabe to carry out thorough investigation into the matter to unravel the culprits and bring them to justice, stressing that he wants to get to the root of the matter to serve as deterrent to others, and enhance the status of the state as one of the safest and most peaceful states in the country.

Governor Ugwuanyi pointed out that the death of Engr. Udeh is even more painful to him and the state government than his community, revealing his closeness to the deceased and his meritorious service to the state.

Some of the placards which the protesters bore read:

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“Ozalla bleeds! #JusticeForDons!”

“Police and DSS can help stop the terrorism in Ozalla” .

“Save Ozalla from Abductors and Killers!”

“Stop Kidnappings and Killings of Ozallans! Enough is Enough!”

“Our Government can save us! PLEASE HELP!”

Recall that Udeh, a former secretary of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was noted to be missing when he left his house since Saturday, 22nd April, 2023, neither returned nor answered calls made by his wife to his phone, raising fears that he may have been kidnapped.

His telephone was later found by the wall of the Ogui police station confirming fears that he could have run into trouble. His wife who had been trying the line was later informed that the phone was found.

She was said to have reported at the station where she narrated that she had been trying to reach him without success.

The lifeless and decomposing body of the victim was found in a bush at 9th Mile Bypass in Udi Local Government Area, on April 25, 2023 with marks of violence, which strongly suggested that he was murdered.