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• Youths protest as soldier shoots 1
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A Chinese man, Mr. G. Z. Zhen, who works with Inner Galaxy Steel Company, located in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, has killed a Nigerian female worker of the company, Miss Ocheze Ogbonna.
A soldier attached to the company was alleged to have shot and fatally wounded a youth from the area, who was among those protesting the killing of the girl.
Zhen, a crane operator with the company, was said to be with the deceased on the machine, when he allegedly pushed Miss Ogbonna down while the crane was in motion. The deceased, said to be an orphan, was reported to have hit her head on the floor following the push from the Chinese, and she died, instantly.
Although no reason was given for Zhen’s action, it was gathered that the Chinese, the direct boss of Miss Ogbonna, had, before now, allegedly made some love advances, which the deceased was said to have rebuffed. It was not clear, therefore, whether that could have contributed to Zhen’s callous action.
Following the incident, youths of the company’s host community, Umuahala, which is also where the deceased hailed from, were said to have laid siege to the company in protest. In an attempt to disperse the protesting youths, one of the soldiers attached to the company shot and fatally wounded one Light Chimeko Ahuruonye.
Late Miss Ogbonna’s body was taken to the mortuary, while the wounded was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, where he was said to be in critical condition.
In a statement, Bon Nwaigwe, Asa Development Union (A.D.U) Secretary General and Secretary, Umuahala Town Union, said the members representing Ukwa West State constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Goddy Adiele and the Mayor/TC Chairman, Ukwa West, Newman Azu, joined other leaders of the area in a meeting with the management of Inner Galaxy. Nwaigwe said the people expect nothing but justice in the matter.
Meanwhile, the Member representing Ukwa West and Ukwa East federal constituency, Chris Nkwonta, has condemned the death of the factory worker.
In a statement, Nkwonta lamented that the manner in which the crane operator, who is one of his constituents, was killed, amounted to a total disregard for the sanctity of life, an act of hatred and wickedness exhibited by the Chinese expatriate at the steel company against their host community, Umuahala-Obuzor.
“Miss Ocheze Ogbonna’s death orchestrated by a Chinese expatriate is a gross abuse of the rules of engagement and a total disregard for the sanctity of human life and an affront on their host community, Umuahala-Obuzor, and the peace loving people of Ukwa West Local Government Area.
“This barbaric act, once again, calls to mind the incessant calls by well-meaning Nigerians that the Chinese expatriates operating in Nigeria do not have regard for human lives and must be called to order, immediately, to avert the breakdown of law and order.
“I strongly condemn the dastardly act and brutal killing of late Miss Ocheze Ogbonna by the Chinese expatriate. I call on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, the Abia State Commissioner of Police and the Minister of State, Labour, to ensure that the culprit, who I understand is being shielded by the security agents, is brought to book and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Reacting, police in Abia confirmed the incident. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, in a statement, said police got a report alleging that Mr. Zhen had, through his actions, caused the death of the deceased. Chinaka said investigation was ongoing.
