By Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka

Confusion has taken the centre stage in the oil-rich Iggah Community, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, over alleged government refusal to release the corpse of a teenager allegedly killed by soldiers barely one year and six months ago.

The late teenager identified as Anikwe Onyibo was allegedly killed by a vigilante group from a neighbouring village and some armed soldiers in front of his residence while asleep. The armed soldiers allegedly besieged the community while on routine security patrol of the oil wells in the area.

Crime Alert gathered that investigation concerning the killing of Onyibo has been concluded by both the army intelligence unit and Department of States Security, DSS, but the delay in the release of the corpse of the slain youth remained a source of worry to the community.

*Slain Onyibo

Investigations revealed that no tangible reason was given for the alleged killing of the deceased by the security operatives who invaded the community with a Hilux van belonging to a Construction Company which is a subsidiary to the petroleum  company licensed  to mine the rich natural oil deposits in the community.

The oil deposits have been explored over the years but there has been simmering disagreement between Enugu, Kogi and Anambra states over the real ownership of the land where the oil wells are located.

Father cries out

Speaking amidst tears, the father of the deceased Chief Obiora Anikwe told Crime Alert that since one year after killing his son without any  given reason,he could not yet be buried,wondering what the people concerned were doing with the corpse of his late son.  “Let them release his corpse from the mortuary and allow me to bury him in peace. I am confused, for one year and some months of killing.

Onyibo, I am still talking of how to bury him. If government does not want to release his corpse, let them make it known to me and my people so that we can allow the dead to bury itself,” he lamented.

“What else would I ask of the authorities than to release the corpse of my slain son for burial after he was short dead in front of my house in broad day light on that fateful day. My son was asleep in front of my house, not feeling very well in health when he suddenly heard a loud noise. He woke up and saw a team of soldiers and he started running and was gunned down by a trigger-happy security operative.”

The 55-year-old farmer pleaded passionately with all those concerned and the security operatives involved to release the corpse of his son for burial before himself passes on to eternity.

House of Assembly intervens

Crime Alert gathered after the incident,Enugu State House of Assembly, in a motion moved by the Deputy Majority leader of the house, Mr. Kelvin Ukuta ordered that a full scale investigation into the killing be carried out. Unfortuantely, till date, report of the investigations has neither been made available to the house nor the community and that could be the reason why the corpse was still being dumped in the mortuary.

Traditional ruler reacts

Reacting to the confused situation in the community, the traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta expressed surprise at the continued delay in the release of the corpse of the deceased youth.

He noted that investigations have been conducted over the killing, saying, whatever may be the cause of the delay, the corpse of the deceased, as a matter of urgency, should be released for burial as the continued delay has thrown the entire community into anguish and grief. “We are demanding that the investigation concerning the alleged killing of the deceased be made public stating clearly, reasons for the killing while the killers should face the wrath of the law,” he stated.