Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has directed the state police Commissioner to immediately arrest the 14 persons and others reportedly involved in the maiming and burning of Madam Martina Okey Itagbor of Old Netim in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.
The hapless mother of four, gruesomely murdered a few days ago, was accused of witchcraft by the persons led by one Christopher Sunday and Festus Etim Umoh.
In a statement released early Saturday morning and signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, Otu said, “I have directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to mobilise all tactical and investigative assets and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice.”
“My attention has been drawn to the alleged burning to death of a citizen of the state, Madam Martina Okey Itagbor of Old Netim in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State by some unscrupulous, wild and criminal minded youths,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
“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 a constitutional democracy that Nigeria practices which our state is part of.”
